Beyond the Tracks: Public Transport Efficiency and Commuter Satisfaction in the Kolkata Suburban Railway System

Piyali Ghosh

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2019.v01i03.53674

Beyond the Tracks: Public Transport Efficiency and Commuter Satisfaction in the Kolkata Suburban Railway System

Author(s)	Dr. Piyali Ghosh
Country	India
Abstract	Suburban railway networks constitute a vital backbone of daily mobility in India’s metropolitan regions, yet they remain comparatively neglected in academic research when set against the extensive focus on metro and road-based transport systems. This study investigates the spatial, infrastructural, and experiential dimensions of the Kolkata Suburban Railway Network, concentrating on three high-density corridors—Sealdah–Barrackpore, Sealdah–Barasat, and Sealdah–Baruipur. Employing an integrated mixed-methods design, it combines GIS-based spatial analysis, commuter surveys (n = 160), and bivariate statistical tests to explore how infrastructure provision, user satisfaction, and transit equity intersect within this complex system. The analysis uncovers pronounced spatial mismatches between areas of high commuter demand and the availability of transit services, most notably along the Barasat and Baruipur corridors, where infrastructural deficits, digital exclusion, and inadequate last-mile connectivity persist. By contrast, the Barrackpore corridor demonstrates stronger infrastructure and higher reported satisfaction levels. Statistically significant gender- and income-based disparities (p < 0.05) further reveal entrenched inequities: women and lower-income commuters consistently report lower satisfaction in key areas such as safety, hygiene, and service frequency. In response, the study advocates targeted corridor-specific upgrades, peak-hour service optimization, strengthened intermodal integration, and the adoption of gender-sensitive safety measures. Expanding digital accessibility and embedding commuter feedback into planning processes emerge as essential strategies for addressing both service and perception gaps. By integrating spatial diagnostics with commuter-centred perspectives, this research develops a transferable framework for assessing suburban rail systems in rapidly urbanizing contexts. The findings contribute to broader debates on equitable and inclusive public transport planning, particularly in settings where transport justice and accessibility are urgent developmental imperatives.
Keywords	Kolkata Suburban Railway, commuter satisfaction, spatial mismatch, transit equity, mobility justice
Published In	Volume 1, Issue 3, November-December 2019
Published On	2019-12-11
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2019.v01i03.53674

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Beyond the Tracks: Public Transport Efficiency and Commuter Satisfaction in the Kolkata Suburban Railway System

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