Factors Affecting the Decision to Use Public Transport to Enter Bangkok: A Comparison Between Vans and Electric Trains of People in Bangyai District, Nonthaburi Province

Abstract

Background and Aims: Transportation and commuting are fundamental factors that play a crucial role in driving economic activities and enhancing the quality of life, particularly in Bangkok, which serves as a central hub for employment, education, and various services. The objectives of this study were: 1) to examine the differences in personal factors that influence the decision to use public transportation into Bangkok, comparing passenger vans with electric trains; and 2) to examine the relationship between factors influencing travel choices including cost, travel time, service accessibility, and convenience and the selection of public transportation into Bangkok, comparing passenger vans and electric trains.

Methodology: This is a quantitative study using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 400 respondents, selected through stratified sampling from residents who had experience using either vans or the MRT Purple Line. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics, including Independent Samples t-test and Multiple Regression Analysis to test the research hypotheses.

Results: 1) Personal factors such as age, education level, occupation, and income significantly influenced the decision to use public transportation in Bangkok at the 0.05 level of statistical significance. Specifically, individuals with a monthly income of 30,001–45,000 baht were more likely to choose electric trains over passenger vans, while those with an income not exceeding 15,000 baht tended to choose passenger vans. Additionally, education level and familiarity with both passenger vans and electric trains were found to significantly influence the behavior of transportation mode selection. and 2) Regarding the relationship between travel decision-making factors, including price, travel time, service accessibility, and comfort, and the choice of public transportation, the study found that these factors were statistically significant. In particular, perceived value and ease of access to each transport system were prominent considerations. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the studied independent variables could explain 56.1% of the variance in public transportation choice behavior (R² = 0.561), indicating a moderate to high predictive capability for user behavior.

Conclusion: The findings reveal that both personal and behavioral factors significantly influence the choice of public transport to Bangkok. In particular, familiarity with vans and MRT services, income level, and education play critical roles. Understanding these differences enables more targeted and efficient development of public transportation systems to meet the diverse needs of commuter groups.