An intriguing survey was undertaken from the 5th to the 10th of July, involving a sample size of 1,200 commuters in the bustling city of Bangkok and its vicinity. This exercise aimed to comprehend the perspectives of the individuals who frequently utilise mass transit systems such as the BTS, MRT and Airport Link by asking them six well-planned questions.
The first query asked was pertaining to the frequency of train services usage. Among the participants, 36.2% confessed to utilizing train services every day, exemplifying their reliance on these systems. An equally impressive 38.2% use it on ‘some days’, whilst approximately a quarter of the participants, precisely 25.6% prefer occasional, sporadic use.
On being asked about the number of trains needed to reach their destination, a significant 66.2% stated that only one was sufficient, proving the convenience of these train services. However, a considerable number, 33.8% requires more than one train to reach their destination, suggesting potential room for improvement in connectivity.
When it came to finances, commuters were asked how much they spend on trains per day. The majority, at 46.2%, reported spending 51 to 100 Baht. Another 35.4% spend less than 50 baht. On the higher end, 14.2% shell out 101 to 150 Baht, 3.7% between 151 to 200 Baht, and 0.5% spend more than 200 Baht daily on commuting.
The next question sought to understand challenges faced by commuters using trains. The majority, 61.0%, found expensive fares as the main hindrance, followed by a mammoth 39.4% disheartened by long walkways at interchange stations. A good quarter was frustrated by the requirement of several cards and long ticket queues. Additionally, 17.0% thought that the confusing names of interchange stations were problematic, with 6.3% identifying other reasons such as excessive rush hour crowd and confusing train changes.
On being asked for suggestions, 61.0% asked for reduced fares and an impressive 48.5% suggested introducing a universal card for all trains. Nearly half of the respondents wanted speedier construction on the train routes, and some 31.3% desired a single-price service. A minority (2.9%) had some fresh ideas such as increasing the train count during rush hours, modernizing the train system, incorporating more routes and adding interchange stations.
The final question sought to measure commuters’ satisfaction levels with the train services. The majority, at 82.5%, claimed to be moderately satisfied, whereas 5.8% regarded themselves as very satisfied. Conversely, 11.5% confessed to being moderately unsatisfied, with a negligible 0.2% stating that they were very unsatisfied.
In summary, the survey provided a profound understanding of the commuting habits, challenges, and desires of Bangkok’s train commuters, painting a comprehensive picture that transit operators can utilize for improving their services.
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