Analysis of Multistage Chains in Public Transport: The Case of Quito, Ecuador

Because of the growth of cities in size and population, people get used to perform several stage trips involving transfers due to advantages such as time or price paid, being multistage trips more attractive compared to single stage trips. In Quito, multistage trips represent one third of total daily trips. This paper seeks to identify main characteristics of multistage trips as well as find relationships and inferences that allow recommendations regarding best practices to policy makers and transport managers.The information used belong to the data collected in the Household Survey Mobility held in Quito in 2011. Based on these data, the present work starts using an analysis with descriptive statistics. The next phase of this research involves the search for a methodology in order to identify correlations between demographic, socioeconomic and transport variables related with traveler's choice for making or not a transfer. Best methodology found was the use of Binary Logistic Regression (Logit) and specific computer software, with which different statistic's models were performed to find the strongest correlation.The paper ends with conclusions and recommendations as well as suggestions for future research.