Applicability of ridesharing using paratransits: a case study from a university community in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Recent increase in number of singly hired para-transit usage in Sri Lanka favors ride shared paratransit modes. Applicability of ridesharing is studied in a selected corridor by examining the attitude of the passengers and drivers. The undergraduates of University of Moratuwa (passengers) were selected as the population and one of the access road (between Katubedda junction and university) was selected as the study area with Three-Wheel (3W) mode as common para-transit mode in Sri Lanka. Structured questionnaire was used to gather users (3W passengers) preference and drivers willingness along with road side survey on 3W movements to study the existing situation in the study area. The study focused on effects of ridesharing on three aspects while identifying barriers for ridesharing implementation; (1) demand for 3W, (2) monetary benefit for 3W operators and (3) Environment. It is found that implementing ridesharing with pool of three passengers and with fare of LKR (Sri Lankan currency- Rupees) 20 (less than ⅓ of the current fare, LKR 70) per head; (1) increases 3W ridership by 42%, (2) increases daily profit of the drivers by 13.3% compared to the existing (average vehicle occupancy=1.4) operating cost and (3) Reduces emission cost per user by 50% per passenger. Barriers to ridesharing from users are reluctant to share rides with unknown passengers (stranger-danger) and also with opposite gender while that of from operators is the fear from peer operators like other 3W drivers and bus operators. Implementing ridesharing is certainly a win-win case for both users and operators.