Delhi metro rail travel behavior analysis: Impact of individual and trip characteristics

Mass rapid transit systems (MRTS) in cities can potentially reduce congestion, decrease energy consumption, improve air quality, and contribute toward job creation and development. Rail transit, even though with lower flexibility and higher capital and operating costs than bus transit, has gathered support from the public and policymakers for its high capacity, environmental benefit, comfort, and security. However, for an improved understanding of rail riders, it is necessary to explore individual, household, and trip characteristics that affect the travel behavior to rail stations. This study analyzes the effects of rider characteristics on the mode choice using a multinomial logit model. The study found that certain factors that attributed to the increased share of walking to reach stations relative to other transit modes were commuters who belonged to low-income households and who were traveling to school, or college, whose total trip distance was not too large, and those who had Master’s degree or higher level qualification. Females are more likely to use an auto- or cycle-rickshaw to reach the metro station. Students are more likely to be dropped off. Bus availability showed that riders who have a direct bus connection were more likely to use the bus. Private vehicle ownership and availability was strongly associated with increased probability of using non-walk modes when connecting to metro rail. The study results provide important information for the use of geographers, urban planners, and transportation policymakers that can be used to facilitate rider-oriented transport development.