TRAVEL BEHAVIOR AND FACTORS INFLUENCING FREQUENCY OF USING INFORMAL TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC BUS IN URBAN AREA OF PHNOM PENH

Abstract

For decades, paratransit modes such as Motodup and Remork can be commonly seen in the urban area of Phnom Penh. They play an important role as a major public transport for local travelers, even before the city bus was put into full operation in 2014. This study aims to analyze trip frequency of paratransit and city bus passengers by considering traveler’s socioeconomic variables, trip characteristics and operational characteristics of each mode. Using ordered probit modeling, data is analyzed based on 483 samples collected from four main areas of Phnom Penh, i.e., CBD, educational, residential and suburb areas. Results indicate that students do not use Motodup frequently, but they prefer Remork. Moreover, travel cost is seen to be the major factor that reduces the likelihood of using Motodup and city bus, but this variable is not found significant in determining the frequency of using Remork at all. In terms of attitudes, Remork and city bus passengers perceive comfort and availability importantly. The more important they value these two factors, the more frequent they would use such modes. Since city bus is a highly promoted public transport, policy makers should enrich the quality of comfort and availability as well as keep the travel cost low in order to increase the usage frequency.