Regional Disparities in Public Transport –A Study in Madurai District

Objectives: This paper examines the satisfaction level of villagers towards the public transport facilities provided by the Government with respect to factors like: frequency of public transport, waiting time by villagers for buses, bus provision to different areas in Madurai, number of buses operated in Utchapatti village route and service quality of public transports. Methods/Analysis: The study is a descriptive study with survey method. An interview schedule was prepared to solicit responses from villagers. The sample constituted 200 respondents from the Utchapatti village. Convenience sampling method was adopted for collecting the primary data through interview schedule. Secondary data were collected from websites and books. The data were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques such as Percentage analysis, weighted average, ANOVA and multiple regression. Findings: Compared to the bus provision to different areas and number of buses operated to the village, frequency of the bus operation is ranked high as per weighted average ranking. According to the multiple regression analysis, the variables frequency of buses and the commute time are identified as the major factors responsible for disparity in rural transport. Applications/Improvement: This paper provided a bird’s eye view of need for inclusive economic growth system which is to be initiated with mobility through provision of public transport to remote areas and the policy recommendations need to be reinvented by the Government.