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Is having a positive image of public transit associated with travel satisfaction and continued transit usage? An exploratory study of bus transit

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  • Dea Lierop

    (McGill University)

  • Ahmed El-Geneidy

    (McGill University)

Abstract

In recent years, researchers have begun to explore how users’ views and opinions about public transit influence satisfaction and future behavioral intentions. This study uses primary survey data collected by the authors along a bus route in Montreal, Canada, to assess whether users’ image of public transit is associated with their satisfaction and intention to continue using public transit in the future. Two binary logit models are developed and the results reveal that having a positive image of transit increases users’ odds of being satisfied and of intending to continue using transit in the future. Results also suggest that previous transit usage is a good indicator of intended future usage. Furthermore, this study explores whether the users’ image of transit should be considered when assessing loyalty. Based on our findings, we suggest that loyalty constructs in public transit research should be composed of the users’ image of public transit, their overall satisfaction with a service, their willingness to recommend it to others, and, passengers’ intentions to continue using the service in the future. Overall, this study is useful for researchers and transit agencies aiming to better understand and increase loyalty among current and future public transit users.

Suggested Citation

  • Dea Lierop & Ahmed El-Geneidy, 2018. "Is having a positive image of public transit associated with travel satisfaction and continued transit usage? An exploratory study of bus transit," Public Transport, Springer, vol. 10(2), pages 241-256, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:pubtra:v:10:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s12469-018-0175-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s12469-018-0175-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yanan Gao & Soora Rasouli & Harry Timmermans & Yuanqing Wang, 2020. "Prevalence of alternative processing rules in the formation of daily travel satisfaction in the context multi-trip, multi-stage, multi-attribute travel experiences," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 1199-1221, June.
    2. Nguyen-Phuoc, Duy Quy & Su, Diep Ngoc & Tran, Phuong Thi Kim & Le, Diem-Trinh Thi & Johnson, Lester W., 2020. "Factors influencing customer's loyalty towards ride-hailing taxi services – A case study of Vietnam," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 96-112.
    3. de Oña, Juan, 2020. "The role of involvement with public transport in the relationship between service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 296-318.
    4. Juan Oña & Rocío Oña, 2023. "Is it possible to attract private vehicle users towards public transport? Understanding the key role of service quality, satisfaction and involvement on behavioral intentions," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(3), pages 1073-1101, June.
    5. Nguyen-Phuoc, Duy Q. & Phuong Tran, Anh Thi & Nguyen, Tiep Van & Le, Phuong Thi & Su, Diep Ngoc, 2021. "Investigating the complexity of perceived service quality and perceived safety and security in building loyalty among bus passengers in Vietnam – A PLS-SEM approach," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 162-173.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transportation planning; Satisfaction; Loyalty; Image; Bus;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R42 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government and Private Investment Analysis; Road Maintenance; Transportation Planning

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