Travel Cost, Distance, and Accessibility in Talaud Islands Transportation Mode Choice

Background: Transportation mode choice in archipelagic regions is shaped by geographical constraints, limited connectivity, and accessibility challenges. However, the relationships among travel cost, distance, and transportation-related perceptions remain insufficiently understood in remote island settings. Objective: This study examines transportation mode preferences and the relationships among six latent constructs associated with perceived transportation choices in Talaud Islands Regency, Indonesia. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional approach was employed, using questionnaires distributed online and in person to 280 transportation users. Six latent constructs were measured using five-point Likert scales, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with AMOS version 20. Results: Speedboats were the most frequently used transportation mode (33%), followed by DAMRI buses (30%) and taxis (22%), while 41% of respondents did not own a motorized vehicle. The model demonstrated favorable approximate fit indices (comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.988; Tucker–Lewis index [TLI] = 0.987; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.027), although the chi-square test indicated a statistically significant departure from exact fit (p = 0.004). The reported path coefficients indicated associations between travel distance and accessibility (1.04), travel cost and vehicle condition (0.44), and accessibility and conventional transportation (0.41). However, incomplete parameter diagnostics limited the interpretation of these estimates and the strength of the statistical inferences that could be drawn. Conclusion: Findings highlight relevance of geographical constraints, transportation accessibility, and vehicle conditions in understanding transportation-related perceptions in archipelagic regions. Further research using representative sampling and comprehensive model validation is necessary to support evidence-based transportation planning.