Analysis of the factors influencing university community satisfaction about public transport trips in small and medium-sized cities in Brazil

Urban mobility in small and medium-sized cities presents unique aspects from the perspective of academic communities. Understanding the perceptions and expectations of this population is crucial for improving satisfaction with their journeys, especially when using public transport. The aim of this study was to analyze the constructs that influence the satisfaction and mobility behavior of public transport users on trips to university campuses in small and medium-sized cities in Brazil. A case study was performed, employing a SEM-MIMIC approach to the answers of a questionnaire applied to students, teachers, and support staff of a university in the interior of southern Brazil. Seven constructs affecting satisfaction were identified and the relationships between them were investigated. These were as follows: walking infrastructure, noise, safety, trip to the stop, infrastructure of stops, trip in the vehicle, and service operation. The results revealed that the greatest influence on overall satisfaction was related to the user's experience inside the vehicle and the characteristics of the service. It was also evident that there was a high direct effect of the users' overall satisfaction on their behavior. The study population presented homogeneity, although younger users were less loyal and less likely to recommend the bus to others, while owning a private vehicle improved satisfaction with the operation of the service.