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The effects of gift vouchers and environmental certificates on the demand for a collective DRT system

Author

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  • Aljoscha Minnich

    (University of Hamburg
    Next Generation Mobility Group, Department of Dynamics of Complex Fluids, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization)

  • Holger A. Rau

    (University of Göttingen)

  • Jan Christian Schlüter

    (Next Generation Mobility Group, Department of Dynamics of Complex Fluids, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
    Flexible Transport Systems and Complex Urban Dynamics Research Group, “Friedrich List” Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, Technical University of Dresden
    Econophysics Lab, Chair for Network Dynamics, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Technical University of Dresden)

Abstract

This paper analyzes in a large-scale field experiment (N = 1425) whether gift vouchers stimulate the use of a demand responsive transportation (DRT) system. This scenario is compared to a situation where customers receive environmental certificates, which report the saved carbon dioxide as a consequence of the bus ride. In our two treatments, the gift vouchers and the environmental certificates could be gained by reaching to a certain threshold of rides with the DRT service (EcoBus). We find that the demand went up more by gift vouchers (83%) compared to certificates (65%). The data show that vouchers especially outperform the certificates at the end of the treatment phase.

Suggested Citation

  • Aljoscha Minnich & Holger A. Rau & Jan Christian Schlüter, 2022. "The effects of gift vouchers and environmental certificates on the demand for a collective DRT system," Transportation, Springer, vol. 49(6), pages 1683-1714, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:transp:v:49:y:2022:i:6:d:10.1007_s11116-021-10224-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11116-021-10224-1
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    2. Minnich, Aljoscha, 2023. "Gamification in the transport sector: Quasi-experimental evidence from a bicycle navigation app," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).

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