Exploring the socio-economic determinants of transport mode choice: A case study of Burdwan city, India

Abstract

Mode choice refers to the way individuals make decisions regarding transportation options, which is essential for urban planning, managing traffic and promoting public welfare. This study investigates the influence of socio-economic factors such as gender, age, family size, education, occupation, income, vehicle ownership and a trip-specific factor as travel distance on transport mode choices in Burdwan, a medium-sized city in India. Using a survey of 250 respondents from five municipal wards, the study categorizes transport modes into non-motorized, public transport, para-transit and private motorized vehicles. Multinomial Logistic Regression analysis highlights that gender, family size, education, income, vehicle ownership and travel distance significantly influence transport preferences. The findings reveal that higher-income and educated individuals favor private vehicles, while lower-income groups rely on non-motorized and para-transit modes. Women demonstrate a preference for e-rickshaws, while men predominantly use private vehicles. The study emphasizes the underutilization of public transport due to inefficiencies and also proposes policy recommendations for enhancing public transport, promoting non-motorized transport infrastructure and integrating diverse transport modes. These recommendations aim to achieve sustainable, inclusive and accessible urban mobility for medium-sized Indian cities.