Rider Perception and Usage Intention for Pakistan’s First Rail Mass Transit: A Study of Lahore’s Orange Line Metro

Abstract Lahore, as of the 2023 census, stands as the second most populous city in Pakistan, with a total population of 13 million. The exponential growth in the city’s population underscores the pressing need for the development of efficient transportation systems. In developed countries, there is a concerted shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions. However, the challenges posed by mobility, transportation coordination, and land use in developing countries like Pakistan are distinctive. In response to these challenges, the Orange Line Metro Rail Transit Service (OLMRTS) has been initiated, aiming to introduce an eco-friendly mass transit rail system in Lahore. The success of any public transport project is based on a profound understanding of user perceptions and concerns. Keeping this in view, this study aims to evaluate rider perception of Pakistan’s first rail mass transit service. A total of 460 responses from the riders of OLMRTS were analyzed by using descriptive analysis, factor analysis, correlation analysis and non-parametric tests. The factor analysis yielded five significant factors for rider perception; loyalty and confidence, social and environmental commitment, ease of use and convenience, night time safety, cabin seating. In addition, non-parametric tests described the important relations between the demographic and socio-economic characteristics and five identified factors of rider perception. The results show that a substantial number of riders express satisfaction with the OLMRTS, driven by these identified factors. Moreover, a considerable proportion of riders have expressed a clear intent to continue using this service in the foreseeable future. These results have the potential to assist Light-Rail Transit (LRT) policy makers, regulatory bodies and may facilitate the improvement of rail transit services protocols by incorporating the concerns and priorities of riders in countries with emerging economies.