Framework for public transport integration at railway stations and its implications for quality of life

Integration of public transport modes has been cited by many as one of the primary factors that enhances public transport ridership and makes public transport investments more viable. Asian cities are witnessing huge investments in high-speed rail (HSR) infrastructure, which will be instrumental in inter-city travel. The HSR station should serve as a multimodal hub, providing users with a seamless interface to various transport modes of the city, thus enabling in the provision of a sustainable transportation solution to the urban area. This paper focuses on the public transportation integration at railway stations by drawing upon existing literature along with specific case studies from Asian cities. First, a generalized framework for integration is developed based on literature sources. Second, six Asian railway stations were reviewed to identify the components essential for developing the public transport integration framework. Finally, the implication of such integrated transport nodes is addressed with reference to the urban quality of life. Results reveal that a framework with three levels of integration - physical, informatory, and monetary, is required to achieve successful public transport integration at railway stations. These levels of integration also need to be supported by additional interventions, such as those that enhance user perception of transit service quality, provides contextual information of the surroundings, and garners active participation of the stakeholders, which will, in turn, enhance the sense of belonging and aid in augmenting users' quality of life.