The Analysis of the Preferred Mode of Transportation in Metro Manila of CSB Students

​Adorio, Andrea Joi P. Del Rosario, Tara Daphne Q. Yulo, Kobe Bryant Y.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

andreajoi.adorio@benilde.edu.ph
taradaphne.delrosario@benilde.edu.ph
kobebryant.yulo@benilde.edu.ph

Abstract
Transportation refers to any device or vehicle utilized as means of conveyance or travel
from one place to another. In this study, the researchers wanted to know the preferred mode of
transportation in Metro Manila of students from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, so this
research was compartmentalized into two choices: 1) private and 2) public transportation. In
order to answer the key questions, to come up with a reference for the development of public
transportation system, and a basis for an efficient mode of transportation, the researchers
formulated an online questionnaire related to the study. The researchers discovered the
experiences while traveling, areas in Metro Manila where the participants usually travel, and
finally, the most used and preferred mode of transportation of CSB students. In conclusion, this
study proved that despite the larger number of public transportation users, commuters still opt
for private vehicles.

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Metro Manila, being the second most populous region in the Philippines has a population
of ​12.8 million per the 2015 Census​. It is widely perceived that due to this condition, traffic is a
recurring problem in the country, also prompted by the fact that most drivers do not follow traffic
rules and regulations, that leads to a lot of difficulties experienced by commuters. Everyday,
Metro Manila roads are full of vehicles with drivers, commuters, and owners inside. In relation to
this, it is of great importance to consider the mode of transportation preference of a Filipino in
his everyday life, for it affects the person in different ways such as possible health problems,
financial issues, matters related to attendances and meetings, etc. There are two modes of
transportation choices: the first one is public transportation, which refers to several vehicles like
buses, trains, jeepneys, cabs, and all other forms of transportations that charge fixed fares with
routes are for public use; on the other hand, private transportation, which refers to any transport
service only limited to the owner of the vehicle, are restricted for public use. These
compartments have various positive and negative sides, for instance, some people assert that
public transportation is less comfortable to use compared to private, but it somehow reduces
traffic due to the large amount of passengers that it contains everyday. In contrast, it is believed
that while private transportation is a more convenient and comfortable mode, it contributes
significantly to the traffic situation.
Thus, this study aims to answer the key questions to be presented below. It focuses only
on one of the components that make up the group of commuters and car owners in Metro
Manila: students, specifically represented by different schools from De La Salle-College of Saint
Benilde. Information supported by data gathered regarding personal experiences in commuting
or travelling, factors on why students prefer the use of public transportation over private
transportation (and vice versa), and the preferred mode of transportation, are obtained and
analyzed to be presented.

1.2. Purpose
In this research, the researchers sought to answer the following key questions: 1) What
mode of transportation do CSB students use more often 2) What situations or circumstances do
they experience using such mode of transportation and; 3) Which mode of transportation do
CSB students prefer. In line with this, the researchers would aim if the experiences the
participants encounter while traveling affects their preference for mode of transportation in
Metro Manila.

2. METHODOLOGY
In this section, the methods used by the researchers to conduct the study will be
explained along with the procedure on how the data and information gathered were interpreted.
The materials and participants involved in the study conducted were also discussed.
2.1.1 Research Design
The researchers chose to conduct a primary research to be able to get, analyze, and
interpret the possible answers relevant to the key questions of this study.
This study is based on a qualitative research, generally on a social constructivist
perspective, that is, a theory to ​which human development is socially situated and knowledge is
constructed through interaction with others. In this research, reality was being observed in a
naturalistic context to relate it with its context. Furthermore, it used feelings, perspectives, and
beliefs of individuals. ​The interpretation will be based on a combination of researcher’s
perspective, survey results and data collected.
Finally, within analytical research articles, data and other important facts that pertain to a
project is compiled; after the information is collected and evaluated, the sources are used to
prove a hypothesis or support an idea. Using critical thinking skills, which involves identifying a
claim or assumption and deciding if it is true or false, the researchers were able to effectively
pull out small details to form greater assumptions about the material.

2.1.2. The Sample

Figure 1

The participants were 80 randomly selected students from different schools of De La

Salle-College of Saint Benilde. As shown in Figure 1 above, 22 students or 27.5% were from
School of Design and Arts, 15 students or 18.8% were from School of Management and
Information Technology, 28 students or 35% were from School of Diplomacy and Governance,
and 5 or 6.3% each were from School of Hotel Restaurant and Institution Management, School
of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, and School of Professional And Continuing Education
respectively.
2.1.3 Research Instrumentals
This study was primarily utilized as self-designed survey questionnaire online,
specifically Google Forms, regarding the preferred mode of transportation of students from De
La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The survey questionnaire served as a primary instrument
used to collect data through the answers of participants in each question. The researchers
made use of quota sampling test, which refers to selecting members for the sample without any
criteria but to acquire a particular target size whether or not based on the proportion of every
stratum with the population. Because this study is based on a quota sampling test, the
participants were only limited to 80, composed of students from different schools of CSB.
Seeking for realistic answers for the key questions of the study, the researchers used a survey
questionnaire consisting of open and close-ended questions such as yes or no questions,
multiple choice, and opinion-based questions. These responses were used to determine which
mode of transportation do most CSB students prefer.

Questions in the survey include the following:

1) What mode of transportation do you usually use?
2) Where do you usually commute/travel in Metro Manila?
3) If you use public transportation, what type of vehicle/s do you use?
4) What problem/s do you usually experience when commuting/traveling?
5) Do you prefer using private vehicle than commuting?
6) If yes, what is/are your reason/s?
7) If no, what is/are your reason/s?

2.1.4. Procedure
To answer the aforementioned research questions, the researchers used a survey form
online distributed to 80 students from different schools of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
using quota sampling. With the data gathered from the participants, the researchers would be
able to determine what mode of transportation CSB students oftenly used, situations they
experience while traveling, and their preferred mode of transportation.
2.1.4.1. Part 1
The survey form first required the respondents to answer which school they belong. It is
followed by which mode of transportation, either private or public transportation, do they usually
use. This is regardless of their preferred mode of transportation when they travel in Metro
Manila. In line with this, the researchers inquired on the place or city within Metro Manila where
CSB students travel or commute.

2.1.4.1. Part 2
In order to aim the second and third objective of the research, the respondents were
asked which mode of transportation they do prefer and stated their reasons. The researchers
would also be able to determine and justify the preferred mode of transportation of the
Benildeans by asking them the situations they experience while traveling. The respondents
were also asked what public transportation do they use, if applicable, in able to determine
whether this affects their preference for traveling or not.

2.1.5. Data Gathering and Statistical Analysis

The researchers gathered the needed data through a survey answered by the
respondents which are the students of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. ​With that,
almost all of the respondents see the significance of this research because they too choose
their mode of transportation everyday. Also, they are aware about the importance of both private
transportation and public transportation and how it dramatically affects traffic and other relevant
issues concerning modes of transportation.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Mode of Transportation Oftenly Used by CSB Students

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows that based on the survey conducted by the researchers, 67.5% or 54 out
of the total number of respondents use public transportation as the mode of transportation they
oftenly used. The remaining 32.5% or 26 students use their private vehicles more often.

3.2 Type of Public Transportation the CSB Students Use

Figure 3

Here in Figure 3 as the result is shown, the majority of the CSB students uses Light Rail
Transit as their number one option for public transportation with 45 students ticking it in the
survey. Next to LRT is the use of Taxi, either GrabTaxi/Grabcar, Uber, or just the regular taxi, it
interpreted in the results 42 out of 81 students uses Taxi as their mode of public transportation.
Then, jeepney is also one of the public transportation that is used by the majority of our CSB
students with 41 votes next to Taxi and LRT. Few of the students uses Bus as their mode of
transportation as shown in the survey that there are 24 students that uses it. Next to Bus is FX
or Van or a.k.a. UV express with 19 students using it as their type of public transportation that
they use. Lastly, others with 5 votes, these are the students that uses tricycles, pedicabs as
their public transportation.

3.3 Location Where CSB Students Usually Commute/Travel in Metro Manila

Figure 4
Figure 3 is the result of where the CSB students usually travel and as stated in the chart,
obviously the majority travel or commute usually in Manila with 38 votes from students. Next to it
are the other locations that are summed from each location and just few 15 students travel,
these locations are; Paranaque, Bulacan, Caloocan, Pampanga, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa,
Mandaluyong, and Valenzuela. Next is Makati with 12, then, Quezon City with 7 ticks from the
survey. The last 2 are Pasay with 6 votes from the survey and Cavite with 2.

3.4 Experiences of CSB Students While Traveling

Figure 5
 As a result of the conducted survey and as presented in Figure 5, most of the
participants said that heavy traffic is the main problem and situation they usually experience
while traveling. Moreover, fatigue/ stress, occurrence of tardiness or missed classes and
mechanical difficulties while traveling are also some of the participants’ experiences. Obviously,
other circumstances such as lack of vacant seats, temperature, and misunderstanding with
co-passengers are the problems usually occurred when using public transportation.

3.5 Private Transportation as The Preferred Mode of Transportation of CSB Students

Figure 6

In Figure 6, it can be clearly interpreted that 61 students prefer the use of private
transportation over public transportation. Based on the aforementioned data interpreted and
responses given by the participants, the situations and circumstances they usually occur while
traveling affects their preference on which mode of transportation. This can be further supported
by the answers the participants gave why they prefer using private transportation such as
having more comfort, security, and privacy, efficiency and saves more time, and less stress.
4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 Conclusion
With reference to objective number one, the researchers conclude that CSB students
use public transportation more often than private transportation when traveling in Metro Manila.
Pertinent to the second objective, the researchers found conclusively that the experiences they
encounter while traveling or commuting include heavy traffic, fatigue or stress, discomfort with
co-passengers, and security issues. Out of these information gathered, the researchers
conclude that the aforementioned experiences result to the participants to prefer private
transportation over public transportation. Although CSB students use public transportation, the
participants still prefer to use private vehicles.

4.2 Recommendation
Supported by the information and results presented, this paper had established that
although there are more CSB students traveling in Metro Manila who use public transportation,
they are still in favor of private transportation. This may be prompted by the unfavorable
circumstances that CSB students experience while commuting. Due to these facts, the
researchers therefore recommend the improvement of the public transportation system in Metro
Manila; this involves vehicles like jeepneys, trains, taxi, FX/vans, buses. Developments may
include improvement of vehicles that can provide more seats to commuters, tightened security
system, as well as more comfortable atmosphere that can prevent extreme temperature and
stress for the commuters.
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