Determinants of the choice of mode of transport of intra-city spare parts dealers in Accra

Abstract

In contemporary times, there has been a clarion call from transport experts and researchers suggesting the need to discourage the number of trips made on private cars during peak hours. Some studies suggest the use of toll differentials, whereby private cars are charged higher than others to ensure diversion from private cars to public transport. This thesis explored the determinants of the choice of mode of transport of intra-city spare parts dealers, and estimated the specific and overall predictions of the discriminant model. Using a non probability sampling technique, two hundred spare parts dealers in Accra, were sampled for this study. Discriminant model was employed to classify the spare parts dealers into their appropriate mode choice to ascertain factors determining their choice of mode of transport. The key findings from the study showed that individual characteristics and mode choice attributes determined the choice of mode of transport of spare parts dealers. In terms of prediction, the study showed that, more than two-third of the original private car users were predicted. The model also predicted over three-quarters of the original bus users. Moreover, the model over predicted the original trotro users, while almost all the original taxi users were predicted. Overall, the discriminant model was successful in correctly classifying about two-third of all original spare parts dealers in the study area. The study concluded with the recommendations that efforts should be made to encourage business private car owners to patronise public transport in their journey to work in Accra.