Krungthep Connect: Navigating Inner-City Disconnection and Mobility Trade-Offs Toward an Integrated MaaS Framework in Bangkok

The rapid expansion of Bangkok has led to accessibility challenges in several areas, particularly in Thonburi South, where residents face limited connections to major public transport networks despite being in the inner city. Such areas can be characterized as “Spatially Disconnected Inner-city Areas,” where reliance on private cars and motorcycles is high, resulting in increased household expenses, transport-related inequality, and traffic congestion. This study aims to examine travel behavior, intentions to shift from private to public modes, and the structural constraints that limit the adoption of sustainable transport options.

A scenario-based survey was conducted with residents of Thonburi South and analyzed through the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which explains human decision-making through attitude toward the behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Results reveal that a “positive attitude toward public transport” and “perceived availability of feasible alternatives” exert the strongest influence on intention, while social pressure has a secondary role. Nonetheless, the study identified a gap between the “intention to change” and the “actual behavior,” primarily caused by structural barriers.

User segmentation yielded four groups: those ready to shift, those open but hesitant, those constrained by structural barriers, and those loyal to private transport. This classification informs tailored policy recommendations emphasizing an integrated approach: (1) physical investment in feeder buses and safe walkways, (2) social support through community engagement and mobility labs, and (3) service reliability via guarantees and transparent data. Collectively, these measures could foster Mobility as a Service (MaaS) in Bangkok and reduce spatial inequality sustainably.