Improving accessibility to urban transit systems can increase their
cost-efficiency. In a large city like Bangkok, mass transit systems are
essential but suffer from limitations in accessibility, especially during the
first and last mile of a trip. To encourage greater usage of the system, it is
important to understand passenger behavior regarding access to the transit
system. Feeder systems need to be planned to carry passengers to and from the
mass transit system. In this study, data were collected using the State
Preference Survey method, and paratransit was added to the current modes of
travel, which included walking, motorcycle taxis, taxis, and buses. A
multinomial logistic model was used to analyze the key factors in choosing the
feeder for first and last mile travel of mass transit system passengers. The
results showed that passengers prioritized travel time, waiting time, and
travel cost, respectively. Paratransit could be an essential service that improves
travel quality and eases traffic problems in Bangkok, provided it can meet
passengers' needs.
IMPLICATION OF THE THESIS
An urban transit system can be made more
cost-efficient by improving its accessibility. The last mile problem describes
the difficulty in getting people from a transportation hub to their destination
and is an important component of the overall quality experienced by a transit
user. New technologies like shared and on-demand transport modes can reduce the
time, cost and waiting time of passengers, and better
understanding of traveller behaviour is
important to justify the appropriate service for the selected area.