Determinants of public transport use in Bengaluru: an empirical analysis of commuter behaviour

The utilisation of integrated public transportation plays an important role in meeting daily travel needs and ensuring consistent urban mobility. Recent studies have primarily sought to determine the characteristics that influence the utilisation of public transportation. These factors include age, personal vehicle ownership, trip distance, parking availability and income. This study provides more information regarding the impact of 13 specific factors on the usage of public transportation. The data were examined using ordered logistic regression based on 646 responses collected from nodal points in Bengaluru, spanning from the north to the central region. The findings indicate that the decision to use public transportation for daily commuting is greatly impacted by factors such as the number of personal vehicles owned per household, the duration of travel on public transport, the availability of parking at bus stops or metro stations, and the distance an individual needs to walk to switch between modes of transportation. Travel time between 15 and 30 min increases the likelihood of higher IPT usage by 13.88 times, while 200–400 meters to the nearest metro station increases the odds by 13.58 times. Furthermore, the findings suggest that individuals with a lower income are more inclined to utilise public transportation, particularly those earning ₹10,001–₹25,000 per month, who are 9.85 times more likely to choose higher IPT usage. However, issues such as inconsistent bus schedules and inconveniently long distances can significantly hinder the use of public transportation, as travel time exceeding 90 min reduces the odds by 79.9%, and walking distances of 1–2 km reduce the likelihood by 99.2%. The results suggest implementing regional and local policy measures to promote the adoption of public transit.