Level of Service of Public Transportation in Loja, Ecuador: Case study of line L2.

Abstract

Sustainable mobility in cities is reflected in the organization, sustainability and management of public transport, as its quality directly influences people ́s modal choice. Currently, growth and urban expansion in the city of Loja have increased significantly, leading to the need to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the city ́s public transport system. Therefore, this study focuses on the analysis of the operational performance of the L2 public transport line, which serves the neighborhoods of Sauces, Argelia and Dos Puentes. The main objective was to diagnose the current conditions of the service along this route, considering user perception as a key indicator to determine whether a quality service is being provided. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, in which surveys were conducted among users of the transport line. The survey included questions related to the parameters of the Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM), considering criteria such as hours of service, travel time, punctuality, punctuality, passenger load and coverage to assess the level of service. This approach made it possible to identify critical aspects of the system and to propose the implementation of operational improvements aimed at achieving an adequate level.