Urban Commuting Preferences in Italy: Employees’ Perceptions of Public Transport and Willingness to Adopt Active Transport Based on K-Modes Cluster Analysis

Commuting plays a critical role in shaping sustainable transport systems, yet understanding the diverse preferences of commuter groups remains a challenge for policymakers. As cities aim to promote sustainable transport, it is essential to better understand the factors influencing travel behaviors. This study investigates the commuting preferences and behaviors of urban employees in Italy, focusing on identifying distinct user profiles and their implications for policy development. Using a dataset of 2301 participants from Italian cities, the research analyzed transport mode choices, willingness to adopt sustainable transport options, and perceptions of public transport (PT) services, including factors such as travel time, proximity to PT stops, cost, and comfort, rated on a four-point Likert scale. K-modes clustering was employed to segment participants into three clusters based on their travel behaviors. The results revealed three distinct user profiles: (1) car-dependent users with negative perceptions of PT, driven by family obligations and dissatisfaction with PT services; (2) individuals who primarily use cars but are somewhat open to improvements in PT; (3) individuals willing to adopt alternative mobility options, including active and shared transport modes. Significant differences were found across clusters in terms of mode choices, willingness to use sustainable transport, and satisfaction with PT services. Notably, employees showed limited interest in alternative sustainable transport modes such as e-scooters and walking, with 73% and 66% of participants expressing little or no interest, respectively. Despite incentives such as company subsidies for purchasing bicycles or e-scooters, 58% of employees remained uninterested in adopting these alternatives. Additionally, employees’ perceptions of PT services revealed dissatisfaction with factors such as travel time, comfort, and punctuality, with over 70% rating these aspects as “Poor” or “Fair”. These findings suggest that improving the quality of PT services, particularly in terms of travel time, punctuality, comfort, and cost, should be a priority for enhancing user satisfaction. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to reduce car dependence and promote sustainable urban transport planning.