INVESTIGATING FEASIBILITY AND MARKET PENETRATION OF BIKE TAXI AS A FEEDER MODE: A CASE STUDY OF KOLLAM CITY

Abstract

Transportation professionals and planners are promoting numerous sustainable travel alternatives to address the negative consequences of widespread private vehicle use, traffic congestion and to encourage the public transit service. The vehicle share system was introduced as a way to tackle these challenges while conserving people’s flexibility and convenience. Bike taxis are a practical, affordable, and accessible transit choice for congested urban areas, and their use must be promoted through a regulatory framework that prioritizes safety and inhibits misuse. The designed questionnaire includes socio economic characteristics, travel characteristics, perspective data about bike taxis, and a Stated Preference survey. The present study aims to investigate the feasibility and market penetration of bike taxis as a feeder mode in Kollam city. Factor analysis was conducted on traveler’s responses and a Structural Equation Model (SEM) was developed to study the intention to use bike taxis. Fare, safety and security, span of operation, travel time, gender of rider, type of bike, and waiting time were the attributes selected for the assessment of mode shift to bike taxi from the car, private bike, and auto-rickshaw. NLOGIT is used for the development of MNL and RPLOGIT models. Comparing the MNL and RPLOGIT models developed for car, auto-rickshaw, and private bike users, it appears that the RPLOGIT model is found to be a more appropriate and flexible model for the data than the MNL model, as it allows for individual-level heterogeneity in preferences and provides a better fit to the data. A developed generalized cost modal can be used to identify areas where improvements can be made to increase users' satisfaction and willingness to pay. Cost-benefit ratio analysis suggests that introducing bike taxi services in Kollam city is financially feasible. Overall, improving waiting time, enhancing safety and security features, optimizing pricing and operating hours, and considering rider gender can help create a good bike taxi service that is attractive to users in Kollam city.