Recognizing user satisfaction and loyalty in bus and metro services: A gender-based analysis using PLS-SEM

Authors

Sara Arancibia
Felipe González
Carolina Busco
Tiare Vera
Milko Yuretic

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2025

Subject Area

place - south america, place - urban, mode - bus, mode - subway/metro, planning - methods, planning - surveys, planning - service quality, planning - personal safety/crime, ridership - perceptions

Keywords

Bus, Metro, user satisfaction, gender

Abstract

This study explores the factors affecting user satisfaction and loyalty within Greater Valparaíso, Chile's public transport system, focusing on bus and metro services. A survey of 552 users was conducted using a non-probabilistic sampling method, ensuring an equitable distribution by gender, age, and commune. Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) was employed to assess factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and perceived value. The results indicate that perceived quality and value are the primary predictors of satisfaction, which drives loyalty. A key finding is the significant role of gender in shaping bus users' loyalty. Women place greater importance on attributes like cleanliness, lighting, and temperature when evaluating service quality than men. Additionally, for female passengers, maintaining a positive corporate image is crucial for loyalty, influencing their likelihood to recommend or continue using the service. Gender differences were also observed in the perception of service quality related to information about schedules and routes, with this information being essential for women. No significant gender differences were found in the metro service. The findings in Greater Valparaíso align with global trends regarding the importance of cleanliness, comfort, and safety in user satisfaction, but they also reveal regional distinctions, particularly the emphasis on security in the bus system, echoing findings from other non-European contexts where safety is a more prominent concern.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Research in Transportation Business & Management Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/22105395

Recommended Citation

Arancibia, S., González, F., Busco, C., Vera, T., & Yuretic, M. (2025). Recognizing user satisfaction and loyalty in bus and metro services: A gender-based analysis using PLS-SEM. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 59, 101322.