Residents’ Socioeconomic Profiles Based on Mobility Distribution in Makassar City

Abstract

Abstract Rapid urbanization in Makassar City has intensified daily mobility needs and reinforced reliance on private transport, particularly motorcycles. This study examines the association between residents’ socioeconomic characteristics and transport mode choice in Makassar City, with the broader aim of informing sustainable urban transport infrastructure planning and strategies for reducing private vehicle dependence. A quantitative descriptive associative design with a cross-sectional survey was employed. Primary data were collected through structured interviews at strategic urban locations (residential areas, economic activity centres, traditional markets, and public transport corridors) on different days and at different times. Using accidental/convenience sampling, a total of 385 valid responses were obtained; the sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula. The dependent variable was the dominant mode of transport (walking/bicycling, public transport/car, motorcycle). Seven independent variables were tested using Chi-Square analysis: gender, age, employment status, education level, income level, vehicle ownership, and household size. Results show that income level is the only variable significantly associated with mode choice (χ 2 = 499.749; p < 0.001), while the other six variables are not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Motorcycles account for the largest share of overall use (41.8%) and are highly prevalent among low- to middle-income groups (>80%). In contrast, high-income respondents (>3× the minimum wage) rely overwhelmingly on public transport/car (97.6%). These findings are interpreted as an indicator of underperformance in urban transport infrastructure, signalling that the formal public transport network fails to deliver equitable, sustainable mobility for the majority of the population. The study concludes that income-stratified mode choice constitutes a diagnostic baseline for prioritizing infrastructure investments and recommends spatially targeted transit expansion, progressive fare policies, and land use–transport integration as complementary strategies to achieve sustainable urban mobility in Makassar.

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