Analysis of travel mode choice behaviour for short-distance and regular trips in Indian metropolitan cities

Understanding travel mode choice behaviour is essential for developing efficient and sustainable urban transportation systems in rapidly growing countries such as India. This study analyzes the factors influencing mode choice behaviour for short-distance and regular trips in urban India using a Multinomial Probit (MNP) modeling approach. Primary data were collected from 600 respondents through a structured questionnaire survey conducted in Delhi, which serves as a representative metropolitan city with diverse transport options. The study considers a range of socio-economic, travel-related, and accessibility variables, including income, travel time, travel cost, distance, and vehicle ownership. The results indicate that income and vehicle ownership are the most significant determinants of mode choice behaviour. Higher-income individuals tend to prefer private modes such as cars and two-wheelers, while lower-income groups rely more on public transport and intermediate modes. Travel time and cost are found to have a negative influence on mode selection, highlighting the importance of efficiency and affordability in travel decisions. Distance plays a key role in determining mode suitability, with metro emerging as the preferred mode for medium- and long-distance trips, whereas short-distance trips are dominated by auto-rickshaws, walking, and buses. The study provides a comparing mode choice determinants across short-distance and regular trips using a common MNP framework. Although the analysis is based on Delhi, the findings are generalizable to other urban areas in India. The results offer valuable insights for policymakers to improve public transport systems, enhance accessibility, and promote sustainable urban mobility.