Globally, urban public transport (PT) providers are increasingly focused on developing sustainable transportation systems to decrease reliance on private vehicles (PVs) and mitigate traffic-related problems like air pollution, congestion, and accidents. This drive is particularly salient in developing countries, including Iraq and specifically the Kurdistan Region, where cities like Sulaimaniyah grapple with rapid urbanization and its associated transport challenges. For PT providers and decision-makers worldwide, the crucial task now lies in both retaining existing PT users and attracting PV users to adopt public transit. Achieving these dual objectives necessitates a thorough understanding of user preferences across different transport modes (PT/PV), making public transport service quality (SQ) assessment a vital area of study. 

Against this global and regional backdrop, this evaluation focuses specifically on Sulaymaniyah City, Iraq. Employing focus group discussions and open-ended questionnaires as key methodological approaches to gather rich qualitative data, this study examines the current state of the city's public transportation system. It pinpoints key challenges and identifies opportunities for improvement by directly engaging with diverse stakeholders, including current PT users, PV
owners, transport operators, experts, and local authorities, to understand their perspectives and experiences. Currently, public transport in Sulaymaniyah faces considerable obstacles, such as limited route coverage, an aging and often informal vehicle fleet, unreliable scheduling, and a lack of integrated infrastructure. These shortcomings contribute to low ridership, exacerbate traffic congestion, and create accessibility issues, particularly for vulnerable segments of the population. Despite these challenges, Sulaymaniyah has significant potential for transformative growth in its PT sector.

The insights gleaned from focus group discussions reveal a strong demand for a more dependable, safe, and efficient system. Key opportunities include harnessing technological advancements for optimized routes and enhanced passenger information, formalizing and regulating the existing informal transport sector, investing in modern and accessible infrastructure (such as dedicated bus lanes and improved bus stops), and implementing integrated ticketing systems. Moreover, fostering strong collaboration among government bodies, private operators, and community
representatives, informed by the direct feedback obtained through focus group discussions, will be essential for formulating and implementing sustainable and user-focused public transportation strategies. Addressing the identified challenges and capitalizing on these opportunities will be
critical for enhancing urban mobility, fostering economic development, and ultimately improving the quality of life for the residents of Sulaymaniyah City.