The welfare level differs in every geography depending on the economy. This also differentiates the variables that are taken into account when determining transportation fares. While underdeveloped or developing countries determine prices by focusing only operating and investment costs, developed countries take user and environmental costs into consideration. However, the failure to describe the parameters used in determining these costs leads to the emergence of ineffective pricing policies. Especially the concept of user cost has become the focus of human-oriented policies in recent years. To this end, the paper provides a literature-based analysis of user costs using in calculation of public transportation fare. The fact that the studies in the literature did not address user costs in a clear framework has created an important gap in this regard. The aim of this study is to fill this gap in the literature by systematically examining the user cost factor affecting transportation fare and to provide a source for other research.

Understanding travel behavior is critical for designing equitable and sustainable transportation systems, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization and rural-urban disparities. This study examines the differences in travel behavior between rural and urban areas, with a focus on the Izmir Urban Rail Mass Transit System (IZBAN) in Turkey. By analyzing data from 606 face-to-face surveys, the research explores key factors such as mode choice, trip purpose, travel distance, socio-economic influences, and user costs. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, chi-square tests, and hypothesis testing were applied using SPSS to identify patterns and significant differences in travel behavior between rural and urban respondents. The study highlights the distinct challenges faced by rural and urban travelers, including limited transportation options in rural areas and issues of congestion, high rents, and inequality in urban centers. The findings reveal that urban travelers benefit from shorter travel times, greater access to public transportation, and proximity to transit hubs, while rural travelers rely more on private vehicles and face longer travel distances. The study also emphasizes the role of socio-economic factors, such as income and household structure, in shaping travel behavior, as well as the environmental and policy implications of these patterns. By providing a comprehensive analysis of rural and urban travel behavior, this research aims to inform transportation policies that promote accessibility, affordability, and sustainability. The study’s insights are particularly relevant for addressing the mobility challenges of underserved populations and optimizing public transportation systems in rapidly growing cities. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable urban development and equitable access to transportation, offering valuable lessons for policymakers and urban planners in Izmir and beyond.

Regional transport pricing is indeed very vital in urban settings where the transportation network is spread out across large areas and can influence travel behavior and the sustainability of cities. Therefore, in addition to existing pricing systems, such as flat fare, distance-based fare, and zonal pricing, this study proposes a sustainable approach to regional rail system pricing using rent prices and a transportation affordability index. The proposed model aims to reduce commuters' overall travel distance in order to reduce air pollution and maintenance costs for public transportation vehicles. Rent-based pricing encourages people to rent houses in regions that shorten their travel distances and fill a gap in the literature on regional rail system pricing by dealing with the decentralization of the cities. A two-step clustering and non-linear optimization modeling approach are proposed based on face-to-face surveys with regional rail system passengers. For various clusters of stations, rent per income rates and rental-based ticket prices were obtained. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate different conditions of the affordability index and rent prices in the studied regions. Compared to the current pricing system, ticket revenues increased by 3.88% and 1.68% in rent-based pricing.

Public transportation systems are vital components of urban infrastructure, shaping mobility and development. The emergence of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems offers a promising solution to challenges faced by traditional bus services. However, delays within BRT systems can compromise their efficiency and reliability. The goal of this study is to investigate and analyze the critical factors influencing delays in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, specifically focusing on the Istanbul Metrobus, in order to provide actionable insights for optimizing operations and enhancing service reliability in BRT operations. Decision Trees identify critical parameters affecting delays, while Bayesian Networks elucidate causal dependencies among variables. The proposed Bayesian Precedence Network integrates these methodologies. This study employed a range of diverse data sources analyzed through advanced software tools like GeNIe Modeler. The results underscore the effectiveness of decision analysis in quantifying uncertainties and assessing critical factors that inform transit planning and optimization. The findings reveal that a passenger occupancy rate of 43% results in a 76% probability of no delays, while high traffic flow decreases this probability to 55%. Conversely, clear weather conditions enhance this probability to 80%, whereas rainy conditions and non-optimized operational efficiency heighten the risk of delays. Overall, this study provides a blueprint for addressing public transportation challenges, empowering transportation planners and policymakers to create more efficient and reliable transit networks.