Can Accessing the Internet while Travelling Encourage Commuters to Use Public Transport Regardless of Their Attitude?

Jinhyun Hong, David Philip McArthur and Mark Livingston
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Jinhyun Hong: Department of Urban Studies, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
David Philip McArthur: Department of Urban Studies, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
Mark Livingston: Department of Urban Studies, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 12, 1-10

Abstract: Due to advances in technology (in particular the Internet), people have become less restricted by space and time, and can use travel time more productively by using their Internet-connected mobile devices on the move. Some operators provided Internet access on public transport to increase ridership. This has been shown to increase ridership, however it is not clear if it can induce people who prefer private cars to public transport to consider using public transport. In this paper, we examine the relationship between the frequency of using the Internet while commuting or travelling, and commuting mode choice, and how this relationship varies for people who have different attitudes toward public transport. Our results show that commuters who use the Internet frequently on the move tend to use public transport more. In addition, this association is significant for those who prefer private cars to public transport, showing the potential effectiveness of new technology in generating new riders.

Keywords: Internet use; commuting behaviour; attitude (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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