International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
IJFMR240111965
Volume 6, Issue 1, January-February 2024
1
A Study on Private Bus Passengers Behaviour
With Special Reference to Bangalure City
Mr. D. Srinivasulu
1
, Mrs R. Nadiya
2
1,2
MBA Assistant Professor, Department of Management Studies, Kuppam Engineering College
Kuppam-517425
Abstract:
The transport system provides the basic infrastructure and it affects the economic activities of the
country. The transport sector in India is divided into passenger and freight. The passenger services are
available in both government private of bus category. At present private sector owns majority of the
buses compared to government. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka also the private transport players
dominating the passenger’s transportation market, especially if the travelling distance is more than 250
KM. Initially consumers (passengers) have been attracted with the facilities and service given by private
bus operators. With the increasing competition and other policy issues, the private bus operators are
implementing peak load pricing strategy.
This pricing strategy is unexpected and unjustifiable to any passenger and even unbearable to them. And
the facilities and service are same. Therefore a study has been made by the researcher to bring out the
passengers behavior with peak load pricing by private operators with reference to Bangalore city in the
state of Karnataka . By using judgment random sampling technique, 110 respondents were selected as
sample size and information gathered through interview method. The outcome of the research has
shown very interesting results such as customers’ dissatisfaction on Government failure to control the
Private Bus operators and the price exploitation, in connection with their no alternative to avoid the
services.
Introduction:
India is witnessed high growth and demand in travel industry due to urbanization, population growth and
rising incomes of individuals. The demand is very high in Bus passenger market and India ranks among
the top-10 in the whole world in bus segment; Buses take up over 90 percent of public transport in
Indian cities (Pucher, Korattyswaroopam and Ittyerah 2004). The operators include both public and
private, especially the private operators are playing pivotal role with 92.87 percent of total buses in 2015
of this segment.
Karnataka is one of the largest metropolitan in India and hub of information technology (IT),
information technology and enabled services (ITES) sectors and pharmaceutical industry and a centre
for Transport industry. The city of Bangalore has well developed bus routes which connect it with all the
major cities and towns of the country and it consist of three national and five state highways. Both
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport
Corporation (KSRTC) are running different varieties of buses to all parts of India and it is place as
initiative and developments like first double ducker bus.
International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
IJFMR240111965
Volume 6, Issue 1, January-February 2024
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These two Road Transport Corporations are implementing IT initiatives. Those have helped for online
passenger reservation system, GPS based vehicle tracking system and some are under pipeline. The
APSRTC have 1840+ agents and KSRTC consist of 1692 agents and these are spread across different
locations in the country. But last few years they are facing a stiff competition from Private Bus
Operators’. From last two decades the Private Bus Operators are dominating the bus passenger market in
around Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka States. The Private Operators are targeting long journey trips; it
begins from 250km and is up to 650km. According to some unauthorized report approximately 1450
Private bus operators are available in Bangalore city alone.
Government Vs Private Buses
The table.1 represents the number of buses in ownership across the Private sector and Government
sector in India between the fiscal year of 2002 and the fiscal year of 2015.The total number of buses
owned by both government and private are increasing gradually during the period 2002 to 2015 .The
number of buses owned by the private sector was 520.3 thousand in 2002 and the share of private sector
in total buses owned in India was 81.94 percent in 2002.The number of buses owned by the private
sector was 1830 thousand in 2015.It is increased by 422 thousand as compared to 2010. The number of
buses owned by the public sector decreased during the period from 2003 to 2007.But it is increasing
during the period from 2008 to 2015.The share of private sector in total buses owned in India has
increased in successive periods during 2002 to 2015.The Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of
number of private buses is very high ( 10.16%) compare to government buses which has only 1.57
percent .It says that there is significant growth of private buses in between 2002 to 2015 throughout the
country.
Table 1: Comparisons of Government and private buses owned across India from FY 2002 to
FY 2015(in thousands)
Year
Government
Private Buses
Total
2002
114.7(18.06%)
520.3(81.94%)
635(100%)
2003
114.9(15.95%)
605.9(84.05%)
720.8
2004
111.4(14.51%)
656.2( 85.48%)
767.6
2005
113.3(12.69%)
779.4(83.30%)
892.7
2006
112.1(11.3%)
879.9(88.69%)
992
2007
107.8(7.99%)
1242.5(92.01%)
1350.3
2008
113.6(7.96%)
1313.6(92.04%)
1427.2
2009
117.6(7.92%)
1368(92.08%)
1485.6
2010
118.8(7.78%)
1408.3(92.22%)
1527.1
2011
130.6(8.14%)
1473.2(91.86%)
1603.8
2012
131.8(7.86%)
1544.7 (92.14%)
1676.5
2014
140.1(7.43%)
1746.7(92.57%)
1886.9
2015
140.5(7.13%)
1830.3(92.87%)
1970.8
CAGR
1.57%
10.16%
9.10%
Source: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Note: All figures are in thousands, CAGR-Compound annual growth rate.
International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
IJFMR240111965
Volume 6, Issue 1, January-February 2024
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Peak Load Pricing:
The Peak Load Pricing is the pricing strategy wherein the high price is charged for the goods and
services during times when their demand is at peak. The peak load pricing is widely used in the case of
non-storable goods such as electricity, transport and telephone. It was originally conceived as applying
to monopolies and public sectors, it is now spread to private sectors also. Bus Transport operators are
using this pricing policy to gain more revenue in peak time and to cover for off peak period.
Need for the study:
Due to peak load pricing, bus ticket fares are increases twice or more than actual fare at peak time more
over in vacations and festival seasons. This pricing strategy is unexpected and unjustifiable to any
passenger and even unbearable to them. And the facilities and service are same. In this view, a study has
been made by the researcher to bring out the passengers behavior with peak load pricing by private
operators with reference to city in the state of Telangana
Objectives of the study:
The objectives of the study are
1. To study and analyze socio-economic profile of the respondents.
2. To know the passengers traveling experience in Private Buses.
3. To examine the passenger satisfaction towards Private Bus transport services in Bangalore City
4. To know the passenger behavior on peak load strategy adopted by Privatebus operators.
Research Methodology:
The data has been collected from important boarding points in Bangalore city. The judgment random
sampling technique was employed and 110 respondents were selected as sample size and information
gathered through interview method .The minimum travelling distance taken from boarding point is
251km. The survey provides detailed characteristics of bus passengers and Likert 5point scale is also
using to know the respondents satisfaction and opinion on peak load pricing strategy.spssv21 is used to
analyze the data and statistical tools used for analyses are Mean, Standard Deviation and Friedman Test.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENTS:
The study results of the socio economic profile of the respondents have been shown from table 2 to 6.
The socio-economic profile of the respondents has been examined based on some factors such as age,
gender, material status, educational qualification and income.
Age is an important factor which decides customer preferences, awareness and the level of satisfaction.
It also decides the passenger’s expectation on convenience, comfort and safety and security. From the
above table.2 it is found that 59.2 percent of the passengers belong to the age group between 21-40 ,
followed by 20.0 percent in the age between 41-60,, 12.5 percent represent the age below 20 and 8.3
percent is represented by the aged passengers above 60.
Table 2: Age Group of the Passengers
Age Group
Frequency
Percent
Valid
Percent
Cumulative Percent
Valid
Below 20 yrs
13
11.81
11.81
11.81
International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
IJFMR240111965
Volume 6, Issue 1, January-February 2024
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21-40
66
60
60
71.81
41-60
21
19
19
90.9
Above 60
10
9
9
100.0
Total
110
100.0
100.0
The table 3 has shown the gender of the respondents. It is observed that majority of the respondents
belong to ‘male’ category i.e. 58.3 percent and remain 39.2 percent belong to ‘female’ category
Table.3: Gender of the Respondents
Gender
Frequency
Percent
Valid
Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Male
70
63.63
63.63
63.63
Female
40
36.36
36.36
100.0
Total
110
100.0
100.0
The present study divides the marital status of the respondents in three distinct groups namely married,
unmarried and others .Others includes divorcees and lives in relationship. From the table.4, it is found
that 70.8 percent are married, 26.7 percent are unmarried and with the impact of modern culture, the
reaming respondents i.e. 2.5% belong to other category.
Table 4: Marital Status of the Respondents
Marital status
Frequency
Percent
Valid
Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Married
75
68.18
68.18
68.18
Unmarried
32
29.09
29.09
97.27
Others
3
2.72
2.72
100.0
Total
110
100.0
100.0
The educational qualification of the respondents consists of illiterate, SSC, graduation.PG and other
qualifications such as ITI, diploma. From the table.5, it is observed that majority (57.5%) are graduates,
followed by PG(19.2% ) and interestingly few are from illiterate(4.2%) and SSC (4.2%).
Table 5: Educational qualification
Educational qualification
Frequency
Percent
Valid
Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Illiterate
5
4.54
4.54
4.54
SSC
5
4.54
4.54
9.09
Graduation
64
58.18
58.18
67.27
PG
20
18.18
18.18
85.45
Others
16
14.54
14.54
100.0
Total
110
100.0
100.0
Household Income is also an important part of socio-economic factor. This factor is also divided in
to 4 groups that are, the respondents whose level of income is upto2 lakh, more than 2 lakhs, to 4 lakhs
and 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs and above 6 lakhs (see table 6). The frequency distribution is also given in the
International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
IJFMR240111965
Volume 6, Issue 1, January-February 2024
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table in a proper order. Out of the total respondents, 10.8 percent of passengers belong to the first
category of income group i.e. less than 2 lakh and 40.8 percent are at the second level of income
category i.e. more than 2 lakhs to 4 lakhs and 29.2 percent and 18%of passengers or the passenger are
belongs to the 3rd and 4th level of income group i.e. 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs and above 6 lakhs respectively
Table 6: Total annual household Income (in Rs.)
Total annual household
Income (in Rs.)
Frequency
Percent
Valid
Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid
up to 2,00,000
13
11.81
11.81
11.81
2,00,001- 4,00,000
41
37.27
37.27
49.09
4,00,001- 6,00,000
33
30
30
79.09
Above 6,00,000
23
20.90
20.90
100.0
Total
110
100.0
100.0
BASIC INFORMATION SEARCH ABOUT TRAVELLING IN PRIVATE BUSES
The basic information search about travelling in private buses has been studied on various factors and
the results of the study have been shown from table 7 to 12.
Out of the total respondents 120 in numbers, 17.5 percent of respondents are using the service providers
for a period less than 2 years. 10.8 percent and 15.2 percent passengers are at the second level and they
belong to the passengers who are using private bus transport services for 2-4 years.. The rest of the
passengers i.e. 50.0 percent belong to the category of the passengers who are using bus transport
services for more than 6years (see table 7).
Table 7: Since how long you have been using private bus transport services.
Frequency
Percent
Valid
Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid
less than 2 years
21
19.09
19.09
19.09
2- 4 years
13
11.81
11.81
30.9
4-6 years
21
19.09
19.09
50
more than 6 years
55
50
50
100
Total
110
100.0
100.0
Traveling distance is very important factor for the study and minimum distance taken is 251km .It is
divided into four distinct groups that are, 251-350km, from 351 to 450 is second distinct groups, third
group is from 451 to 550km and fourth group is more than 550km.Out of the respondents majority of
them travelled in between 351to 400km i.e. 42.5 percent. It is followed by the first distinct group (251 to
350 km) with 30.8 percent (see table 8)
Table 8: Travelling distance from Bangalore
Travelling distance from
Bangalore
Frequency
Percent
Valid
Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid
251-350km
32
29.09
29.09
29.09
351 to 450 km
46
41.81
41.81
70.9
451 to 550 km
19
17.27
17.27
88.18
International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
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Volume 6, Issue 1, January-February 2024
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More than 550 km
13
11.81
11.81
100.0
Total
110
100.0
100.0
From the table.9 it is found that 44.2 percent of the respondents have 6-10 times of traveling experience
and it is interesting 23.3 percent of the respondents have more than 15times travel experience by private
Buses. It concludes that passengers are giving more preference to private Buses.
Table 9: Frequency of travel by Pvt. Buses (per year)
Frequency of travel by Pvt. Buses
(per year)
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid
upto 5 times
23
20.9
20.9
20.9
6-10 times
50
45.45
45.45
66.36
11-15 times
10
9.09
9.09
75.45
More than 15 times
27
24.54
24.54
100
Total
110
100.0
100.0
From the table10 has been study the purpose of the journey, it is observed that most of the respondents
(63.3%) who are travelling in private Buses for personal use only and followed by holiday trip (25.8%)
and as business purpose (10.9).
Table 10: Purpose of the journey
Purpose of the journey
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulative Percent
Valid
personal
66
60
60
60
Business
13
11.81
11.81
71.81
Holiday trip
31
28.18
28.18
100.0
Total
110
100.0
100.0
The table 11 has shown the type of buses preferred by the respondents has been studied. In the study
the type of buses is divided into four distinct groups namely Non-A/C seater, A/C seater, Non A/C
sleeper and A/C sleeper. According to the above table majority of the commuters(45.8%) are giving
preference to A/C seater, in view of a pleasant bus ride to their preferred destination and unaffected by
weather conditions outside the AC bus. It followed by non-A/C seater (38.4%)
Table 11: Which type of buses do passengers prefer mostly
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Non-A/C seater
41
37.27
37.27
37.27
A/C seater
50
45.45
45.45
82.72
Non A/C sleeper
6
4.45
4.45
88.18
A/C sleeper
13
11.81
11.81
100
Total
110
100.0
100.0
The table 12 has been reveals the study on the regular mode of bus tickets booking of the respondents.
Passenger’s mode to book bus tickets is divided in to three categories; these are online, travel agent and
travels office. The researcher observed that passengers of Bangalore is giving at most priority for
online booking, So, Most of the respondents (55.0%)are choosing online booking and they using ticket
windows like Abhibus.com,redbus.com etc.
International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
IJFMR240111965
Volume 6, Issue 1, January-February 2024
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Table 12: Regular Mode to Book Tickets
regular mode to book tickets
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid
online
56
50.9
50.9
50.9
Travel agent(by phone)
29
26.36
26.36
77.27
Travels office
25
22.72
22.72
100
Total
110
100.0
100.0
CONCLUSION:
Based on the study it has been noted that the respondents (bus passengers) have expressed their
happiness to use the private bus services , however they are stating that, lack of parking facilities,
waiting rooms, security at boarding points and some time indecent behavior (due to consumed alcohol
while in duty time) of staff (including driver) forced them to rethink about the usage of private bus
services.
In addition to this most of the respondents have been expressing their dissatisfaction with the peak load
pricing strategy adopted by Private Bus Operators in the Bangalore region, especially the factors like
affordable ticket fare, customized ticket cancelation policy; though the ticket prices are increasing two or
three times to actual fare there is no change in service quality as they expected. The final outcome of the
research has shown very interesting results such as customers’ dissatisfaction with the Government
(APSRTC and KSRTC) bus operator’s failure to control the Private Bus operators and the price
exploitation, in connection with their no alternative to avoid the service on peak load days (such as
festivals and holidays) .
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