The Possibility of Introducing a Regular Bus System in Kandahar City, Afghanistan

Abstract

The paratransit system is the only mode of public transport available in Kandahar city and operates as an informal transport sector. Using revealed and stated preference techniques, this study aimed to elaborate on the characteristics and usage patterns of the current system and identify the potential for introducing a regular bus system. The results demonstrated that the overall ridership of the sector is very low for daily trips because of the irregularity and limited coverage of the paratransit system and the dominance of private vehicles. The multinomial logit model results suggest that Kandahar city residents are more sensitive to the travel time for a public transport mode compared to its travel cost. In other words, speed, waiting time, number of stops/stations, and the distance between the stops play a vital role in terms of ridership. Additionally, age and income are also important factors in planning a bus system.