Associations between socioeconomic and trip characteristics of bus passengers to plan for transfer-based bus transport operations.

There are mainly two types of bus routes in Sri Lanka. They are main routes and secondary routes. Secondary routes connect main town centers to secondary-level townships, while main routes often connect two main towns or city centers. Secondary bus routes' extensive service, including feeder buses, can create a lap length, impacting supply and demand cycles. In response to this challenge, the concept of a transfer-based bus transport network (TBBTN) emerges as a potential solution. Specifically, the study aims to discern the influence of socioeconomic factors and travel characteristics, thereby illuminating critical insights for the development of a system that maximizes operational efficiency while minimizing passenger inconvenience. By testing the associations between these key variables, this research endeavors to contribute to the advancement of a more effective and responsive bus transport network in Sri Lanka.