Effect of Demographic Characteristics on the choice of Paratransit Modes

Abstract The absence of public transportation has led to the growth and expansion of paratransit modes. This has increased traffic congestion, traffic crashes and traffic pollution. This research assessed the effect of demographic characteristics on para transiting in Lagos with special focus on the mainland. To achieve the aim of this research, the mainland was divided into two zones based on the geographical location which are the Ikorodu and Ikeja zone. Domiciliary information techniques were used in data collection. This was backed up with an oral interview. Two hundred question (200) questionnaires were administered with 89% return rate. The information captured were demographic characteristics, the volume of trips, frequency of trips, trip types, operations of the paratransit transportation system, travel behaviour of passengers (travel time, travel cost, travel purpose). SPSS version 18 was used for the data analysis. The result of the survey revealed that paratransit modes serve as a feeder connection between neighbourhoods in the study area. Additionally, it provides a feeder connection between major arterial roads (truck A and B roads). Flexibility accounts for 41% of the reason why paratransit mode is preferred by respondents. The bivariate analysis showed a weak negative relationship for the correlation between frequency of trip and age. The outcome of this research will aid transportation planners, policymakers, and transportation experts on the appropriate strategy to adopt for effective mobility as a unimodal approach to providing effective movement may not be foreseeable in the study area.