Correlating The Quality of Public Transportation System and The Effectiveness of Transport Policies: Basis for Proposal of a Transport Management Strategy in The City of San Fernando, Pampanga

Abstract

Service quality is crucial in transportation, as it can affect the overall experience of commuters. Effective transportation policies, on the other hand, create sustainable and efficient transportation systems. This study aimed to assess the quality of the public transportation system, specifically jeepneys, and the effectiveness of transport policies in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The researchers utilized a descriptive correlational research design to determine the extent of the relationship between the two variables. Lastly, there is the proposal for suitable transport management strategies based on the findings of the study. Quantitative and qualitative investigations were used in order to answer the research problems. The research instruments used were survey questionnaires and structured interviews. A total of three hundred (300) respondents, which were divided into three subgroups, namely: one hundred eighty (180) commuters, one hundred (100) jeepney drivers, and twenty (20) traffic enforcers, answered the survey questionnaire. The quantitative data were analyzed using Quantitative Descriptive Statistics, the 4-Point Likert Scale, Range of Means, Percentage Distribution, and Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient. On the other hand, qualitative data were transcribed, contextualized, and classified in order to obtain relevant information. Commuters were identified as somehow satisfied with the overall quality of public transportation systems and the effectiveness of transport policies. However, notable indicators such as vehicle condition, relevant performance, and environmental impacts acquired a "Poor" rating. Conversely, responses gathered from jeepney drivers and traffic enforcers displayed a consistent positive rating. Furthermore, it was found out that the quality of the public transportation system has a positive monotonic relationship with the effectiveness of transport policies in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The researchers, therefore, proposed the adaptation of Pedestrian-Oriented Development to address the current and emerging traffic issues in the city.