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. 2024 Jun 4;10(11):e32363.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32363. eCollection 2024 Jun 15.

Public transportation means as seen by citizens: Approaching the case of the Dominican Republic

Francisco Alonso  1 , Cristina Esteban  1 , Mireia Faus  1 , Sergio A Useche  1
Affiliations

Public transportation means as seen by citizens: Approaching the case of the Dominican Republic

Francisco Alonso et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

and middle-income countries, key constraints such as dense traffic flows, jams, and pollution constitute frequent issues that potentially explain many negative consequences in terms of (e.g.) efficiency, sustainability, and mobility safety. In this regard, recent evidence supports the idea that fostering public transportation is crucial to offering solutions for this difficult panorama. However, transport mode-related choices and shifts have been proven to depend highly on key perceptions and needs of potential users. The aim of this study was to analyze a set of key users' perceptions, usage, and perceived quality of public transportation in the Dominican Republic, as well as to explore the most relevant features for Dominicans from the "desired quality" paradigm. For this research at a national level, data retrieved from a nationwide sample of 1254 inhabitants of the Dominican Republic was used, proportional to the ONE census in terms of sex, age, habitat, and region. Overall, the results show that the general quality of transportation is 6.70 points out of 10. The use of public transportation in the Dominican Republic has a medium-low rating and is very focused on urban buses (41 %) and public cars (27.1 %). Nonetheless, the metro remains the most highly rated means of transport (M = 8.75). Concerning the quality variables analyzed, the highest scores are for accessibility (M = 7.08) and frequency of service (M = 6.99). Further, Dominicans focus on improving comfort, vehicle conditions, and safety. This study constitutes a first approximation to the desired quality of public transportation for Dominican Citizens, which may help policymakers scope user-based needs in public transportation systems and encourage a more frequent (and friendlier) public transport use in the country.

Keywords: Dominican Republic; Mobility; Perception; Public transportation; Quality; Safety.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:The corresponding author (Dr. Francisco Alonso) is an Associate Editor of the journal. This does not alter our adherence to the ethical policies of Heliyon. Further, the authors of this study declare the inexistence of competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Sample distribution according to participants' region of provenance, in correspondence with national census (ONE census) data.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Use of different public transport means in the Dominican Republic.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Overall (average) assessment of public transportation means in the Dominican Republic.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Study participants' assessment of six key public transport features, from lesser to greater values (0–10 scale).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Self-reported core reasons for using public transportation among Dominican citizens, from lesser to greater valued (0–10 scale).
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