Public Perception of Shifting from Private Transport to Public Transport in Kandy, Sri Lanka Willingness to Pay Analysis

Abstract

Severe traffic congestion in main urbanized cities such as Kandy is one of the major developments Sri Lanka is currently dealing with. Existing road capacity is insufficient to meet the transport requirements of increasing vehicle population. In this context, this study aims at attracting private vehicle users to improve public transport as a sustainable solution to this severe traffic congestion. In this context, this study attempts to address the question of what is people's willingness to pay for the improved public transport to reduce traffic congestion. As a research methodology, willingness to pay for public transport was estimated to identify the affordability and people's attitudes pertaining to shifting from private transport to public transport by using single bounded dichotomous choice method. Derived estimates indicate that mean willingness to pay to enter Kandy City through Kadugannawa is approximately four times higher than the average ticket price of bus, indicating the high tendency of utilizing public transport if certain criteria are met. Further, results reveal that income, travel time as major determinants of peoples' willingness to pay towards improved public transport and educational level, employment category and age also have considerable impact. Based on these findings, this study argues that the public is willing to substitute private transport with improved public transport, allowing a significant reduction of traffic congestion which leads to reducing its burden on the national economy.