THE INFLUENCE OF COMMUTERS SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS ON BUS SERVICE AFFORDABILITY AND USAGE IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

This study examines the influence of socio-economic characteristics of commuters on their level of bus accessibility and usage in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires and past literature were used as sources of data. This study used systematic random sampling to select eight major bus terminals from which 324 bus commuters were purposively selected for interview. Correlation and multiple regression models were used to analyze the data collected. The study revealed that trip frequency is positively correlated to the income of commuters with value (0.324)). This implies that as commuters' income increases so also is their bus service accessibility increases. Trip frequency is also found to be negatively correlated to gender with value of (-0.190) which implies that women travel less frequently than men and they also travel shorter distances than men. The study further reveals that women rely more on bus services than men. The regression model also shows that marital status and monthly income are found to be positively significant with P-value of (0.001) and (0.000) at 5% significant level respectively. The study therefore recommends that a public transportation system that is responsive to meet gender differentials in transport needs of commuters should be introduced in Kaduna City.