Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Geography and Environment

Supervisor

Lee, J

Abstract

This thesis investigates the clusters of public transit service unreliability using GIS techniques through an equity lens. In the first study, I analyzed transit on-time performance and pass-up records in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, using spatial scan statistics and identified clusters of high- and low-risk areas for unreliable transit services such as delays and early arrivals. I also discovered that high-risk clusters are associated with socio-economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, suggesting evidence of transport inequality in service reliability. In the second study, I analyzed the spatio-temporal patterns of pass-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic in Winnipeg using emerging hot spot analysis. I found hot spots in the central and southern parts of the city, which coincide with low-income neighbourhoods. This finding suggests that socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods might experience inequality in terms of unreliable transit services, and this issue further worsened and persisted during the pandemic. Transit providers and city leaders could benefit from utilizing these methods to evaluate and improve transit services, making them more equitable for the populations that need them the most.

Summary for Lay Audience

This thesis investigates two issues that contribute to unreliable transit service: buses that do not arrive on time and buses that are fully loaded, preventing waiting riders from boarding. I identify patterns in locations where riders are more likely to encounter these issues, which can affect their travel experience. I also further explored the second issue, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, when reduced bus services led to longer wait times for riders. I found that people living in these areas are more likely to rely on buses for travel, meaning they experienced unsatisfactory and inequitable transit service. I hope to raise awareness of this issue, so people understand that they may need to adjust their expectations when using buses in these areas. I also hope transit companies can use these findings to improve their services, allowing for fairer transit experiences and promoting the use of public transportation.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License.

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