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Does Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) Meet the Citizens’ Mobility Needs? Evaluating Performance for the Case of Multan, Pakistan

Author

Listed:
  • Muhammad Nadeem

    (Graduate School of Urban Innovation, Yokohama National University, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
    Directorate of Town Planning, Multan Development Authority, Multan 60000, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Azam

    (School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia)

  • Muhammad Asim

    (Department of City & Regional Planning, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore 54890, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Ahmad Al-Rashid

    (Department of City and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Management and Technology, Lahore 54770, Pakistan)

  • Othman Che Puan

    (School of Professional and Continuing Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia)

  • Tiziana Campisi

    (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy)

Abstract

Bus rapid transit (BRT) has emerged as an efficient and cost-effective transport system for urban mobility that offers safe and high-quality transport services for city dwellers. Recent research has widely discussed BRT systems’ performance evaluation, but such assessments have remained limited in the South Asian context, where users’ needs might be distinct. The present study addresses this research gap and evaluates the performance of the BRT system in Multan, Pakistan, based on the passengers’ perceptions and the BRT standard scorecard. The data were collected at 21 BRT stations, and a face-to-face questionnaire survey was carried out with 420 users. The BRT standard scorecard method was also applied by conducting an observation survey and semi-structured interviews based on the aspects as specified by the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software package was mainly utilised for data analysis. This research concluded that around 54% of passengers are highly satisfied and opted for BRT due to comfort. Cronbach’s Alpha reliability analysis concluded that most of the BRT stations possess the acceptable value (0.8 > α ≥ 0.7), with only six out of 21 stations categorised as unacceptable (α < 0.5). Multan BRT achieved overall 79 scores and classified as Silver-Standard BRT. The study suggests critical insights to improve the citizens’ mobility with the existing BRT system, serving as a benchmark for policymakers and transport planners.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Nadeem & Muhammad Azam & Muhammad Asim & Muhammad Ahmad Al-Rashid & Othman Che Puan & Tiziana Campisi, 2021. "Does Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) Meet the Citizens’ Mobility Needs? Evaluating Performance for the Case of Multan, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7314-:d:585518
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Rabia Soomro & Irfan Ahmed Memon & Agha Faisal Habib Pathan & Waqas Ahmed Mahar & Noman Sahito & Zulfiqar Ali Lashari, 2022. "Factors That Influence Travelers’ Willingness to Adopt Bus Rapid Transit (Green Line) Service in Karachi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-35, August.
    3. Arsalan Raza & Muhammad Umair Ali & Ubaid Ullah & Muhammad Fayaz & Muhammad Junaid Alvi & Karam Dad Kallu & Amad Zafar & Sarvar Hussain Nengroo, 2022. "Evaluation of a Sustainable Urban Transportation System in Terms of Traffic Congestion—A Case Study in Taxila, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
    4. Muhammad Ashraf Javid & Nazam Ali & Tiziana Campisi & Giovanni Tesoriere & Krisada Chaiyasarn, 2022. "Influence of Social Constraints, Mobility Incentives, and Restrictions on Commuters’ Behavioral Intentions and Moral Obligation towards the Metro-Bus Service in Lahore," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Muhammad Nadeem & Nayab Khaliq & Naseem Akhtar & Muhammad Ahmad Al-Rashid & Muhammad Asim & Merve Kayaci Codur & Enea Mustafaraj & Muhammed Yasin Codur & Farrukh Baig, 2022. "Exploring the Urban Form and Compactness: A Case Study of Multan, Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-22, December.
    6. Saleem, Muhammad Abid & Afzal, Hanan & Ahmad, Farooq & Ismail, Hina & Nguyen, Ninh, 2023. "An exploration and importance-performance analysis of bus rapid transit systems’ service quality attributes: Evidence from an emerging economy," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1-13.
    7. Risdiyanto Risdiyanto & Ahmad Munawar & Muhammad Zudhy Irawan & Miftahul Fauziah & Prawira Fajarindra Belgiawan, 2022. "Why Do Students Choose Buses over Private Motorcycles and Motorcycle-Based Ride-Sourcing? A Hybrid Choice Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, April.

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