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Socioeconomic and usage characteristics of transportation network company (TNC) riders

Author

Listed:
  • Rick Grahn

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • Corey D. Harper

    (Booz Allen Hamilton)

  • Chris Hendrickson

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • Zhen Qian

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • H. Scott Matthews

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

Abstract

The widespread adoption of smartphones followed by an emergence of transportation network companies (TNC) have influenced the way individuals travel. The authors use the 2017 National Household Travel Survey to explore socioeconomic, frequency of use, and spatial characteristics associated with TNC users. The results indicate that TNC riders tend to be younger, earn higher incomes, have higher levels of education, and are more likely to reside in urban areas compared to the aggregate United States population. Of the TNC users, 60% hailed a ride three times or less in the previous month, indicating that TNC services are primarily used for special occasions. TNC users use public transit at higher rates and own fewer vehicles compared to the aggregate United States population. In fact, the TNC user population reported similar frequencies of use for both TNC services and public transit during the previous month. Approximately 40% of TNC users reside in regions with population densities greater than 10, 000 persons per square mile compared to only 15% for non-TNC users. Lastly, reported use of public transit for TNC users living in large cities (> 1 million) with access to heavy rail was almost three times greater when compared to similar sized cities without heavy rail. The average monthly frequency of TNC use was also elevated when heavy rail was present.

Suggested Citation

  • Rick Grahn & Corey D. Harper & Chris Hendrickson & Zhen Qian & H. Scott Matthews, 2020. "Socioeconomic and usage characteristics of transportation network company (TNC) riders," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(6), pages 3047-3067, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:transp:v:47:y:2020:i:6:d:10.1007_s11116-019-09989-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11116-019-09989-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Felipe F. Dias & Patrícia S. Lavieri & Venu M. Garikapati & Sebastian Astroza & Ram M. Pendyala & Chandra R. Bhat, 2017. "A behavioral choice model of the use of car-sharing and ride-sourcing services," Transportation, Springer, vol. 44(6), pages 1307-1323, November.
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    3. Hall, Jonathan D. & Palsson, Craig & Price, Joseph, 2018. "Is Uber a substitute or complement for public transit?," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 36-50.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Dong, Xianlei & Wang, Ying & Li, Xufeng & Zhong, Zhenfang & Shen, Xinyi & Sun, Huijun & Hu, Beibei, 2023. "Understanding the influencing factors of taxi ride-sharing: A case study of Chengdu, China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    2. Soria, Jason & Stathopoulos, Amanda, 2021. "Investigating socio-spatial differences between solo ridehailing and pooled rides in diverse communities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    3. Lily Hanig & Destenie Nock & Corey D. Harper, 2025. "What stay-at-home orders reveal about dependence on transportation network companies," Transportation, Springer, vol. 52(2), pages 381-412, April.
    4. Ngoc, An Minh & Nishiuchi, Hiroaki, 2025. "Understanding travel patterns of ride-hailing service sub-population groups and effects of transit investment on ride-hailing users’ potential mode switching: A case study of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 456-476.
    5. Rick Grahn & Sean Qian & Chris Hendrickson, 2023. "Optimizing first- and last-mile public transit services leveraging transportation network companies (TNC)," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(5), pages 2049-2076, October.
    6. Misra, Aditi & Shirgaokar, Manish & Weinstein Agrawal, Asha & Dobbs, Bonnie & Wachs, Martin, 2022. "How older adults use Ride-hailing booking technology in California," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 11-30.
    7. Adam Millard-Ball & Liwei Liu & Whitney Hansen & Drew Cooper & Joe Castiglione, 2023. "Where ridehail drivers go between trips," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(5), pages 1959-1981, October.
    8. Kumar, Akshay & Gupta, Akshay & Parida, Manoranjan & Chauhan, Vivek, 2022. "Service quality assessment of ride-sourcing services: A distinction between ride-hailing and ride-sharing services," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 61-79.
    9. Nur Oktaviani Widiastuti & Muhammad Zudhy Irawan, 2024. "Ride-Hailing Preferences for First- and Last-Mile Connectivity at Intercity Transit Hubs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-20, April.
    10. Khatun, Farzana & Saphores, Jean-Daniel, 2023. "Covid-19, intentions to change modes, and how they materialized - Results from a random survey of Californians," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    11. Hasnine, Md Sami & Hawkins, Jason & Habib, Khandker Nurul, 2021. "Effects of built environment and weather on demands for transportation network company trips," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 171-185.
    12. Zhang, Zhaolin & Zhai, Guocong & Xie, Kun & Xiao, Feng, 2022. "Exploring the nonlinear effects of ridesharing on public transit usage: A case study of San Diego," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    13. repec:cdl:itsrrp:qt5mt4m51n is not listed on IDEAS
    14. repec:cdl:itsdav:qt1dc3v8ms is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Loa, Patrick & Ong, Felita & Hawkins, Jason & Nurul Habib, Khandker, 2023. "Unravelling the relationship between ride-sourcing services and conventional modes in the city of Toronto: A stated preference study," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 209-220.
    16. Loa, Patrick & Hossain, Sanjana & Liu, Yicong & Nurul Habib, Khandker, 2022. "How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the use of ride-sourcing services? An empirical evidence-based investigation for the Greater Toronto Area," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 46-62.
    17. Yiyuan Wang & Qing Shen, 2024. "A latent class analysis to understand riders’ adoption of on-demand mobility services as a complement to transit," Transportation, Springer, vol. 51(3), pages 1043-1061, June.

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