Unveiling the Spatial Variation in the Transit Service of the National Capital Region, India

Transit service quality has become a key tool to attract commuters and to assess transport alternatives because it considers commuters’ perceptions. However, perception varies by space, time, and socioeconomic characteristics. This study assesses commuters’ perceptions to identify variation, if any, in the attributes critical for a transit system. Mean RIDIT scores are calculated for the level of importance and satisfaction of respondents, and criticality ratios are measured to observe variation. Data on the perception of commuters along the Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut, Delhi–Rewari–Alwar, and Delhi–Sonipat–Panipat corridors in the National Capital Region (NCR), India, were collected. The results show that variation exists in commuters’ perceptions under each corridor. Minimum in-vehicle travel time is found to be critical in the first two corridors, whereas service time is critical in the third corridor. Geographical knowledge of perception variation is important because it provides information at a comparatively deeper level. Understanding the variation and efficiently utilizing resources accordingly will be advantageous for transit authorities and operators.