Sustainable Transportation Choices and Household Budgets: Exploring the Effects of Travel Conditions, Alternative Access, and Infrastructure Quality on Household Transportation Expenditures in Hermosa, Bataan, and Malolos, Bulacan

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between travel conditions, access to transportation alternatives, and the quality of transportation infrastructure on household transportation expenditures in Hermosa, Bataan, and Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines. Methodology: This study employed a quantitative research design to investigate the relationship between household transportation expenditures and factors like travel conditions, access to transportation alternatives, and infrastructure quality. Data was collected through a structured survey administered to 384 households in Hermosa, Bataan, and Malolos, Bulacan. The survey instrument, validated through a pilot test, utilized a 4-point Likert scale to assess respondent perceptions. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. Findings: The findings revealed that among the variables, QTI significantly and positively influenced HTE (B = 0.338, p < 0.001), indicating that poorer infrastructure quality contributes to higher transportation costs. This relationship highlights how deficiencies in road conditions, public transport facilities, and pedestrian infrastructure increase household financial burdens. However, travel conditions and access to transportation alternatives were not statistically significant predictors of HTE (p = 0.366 and p = 0.152, respectively). Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study emphasizes the critical role of transportation infrastructure quality (QTI) in shaping household transportation costs. Findings support theories like Consumer Choice and Planned Behavior, highlighting the significance of structural factors. To promote sustainable urban development, policymakers must invest in road maintenance, expand public transit, and enhance pedestrian/cycling infrastructure. This ensures equitable access to affordable transport and addresses socioeconomic disparities. Urban planners should prioritize infrastructure upgrades that improve connectivity and reduce travel inefficiencies, while incentivizing sustainable modes like electric vehicles and bike-sharing.