Gender Impact on Transit Quality of Service Importance and Performance Assessment

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of gender on transit travelers’ quality assessment considering 26 indicators’ importance and performance ratings. Through an online survey and using a 5 point Likert scale, transit travelers were asked to rate both the importance and the performance they recognize for the examined quality indicators. The online survey was distributed to a list of contacts, organizations, businesses, universities and operations’ websites in three Greek cities (Athens, Thessaloniki and Volos), aiming to cover all modes and quality conditions someone may face in Greek transit operations. In total, 211 PT users (96 male and 116 female transit travelers) provided their feedback that was further analyzed, aiming to underline the impact of their gender on transit quality importance and performance assessments. Research results, showed that women attribute a higher importance than men on route and service related characteristics, cleanliness and safety and security related indicators, along with the availability of shelter and benches at stops, the ease of purchasing ticket and the use of ecological vehicles. Similarly, women recognize a higher performance for the ease of purchasing ticket. Research results explicitly analyze the gender impact on transit quality assessment, providing useful knowledge and insights for decision makers planning and operations. © 2021, The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.