Abstract
The perception of safety within the public transport system is of high importance for passengers according to multiple passenger satisfaction surveys. However, among the many studies of public transport mode choice, little focus has been on the influence of safety perceptions. This study contributes to existing literature by specifically investigating the influence of perceived safety on public transport mode choice using a large-scale multimodal travel survey with 17,355 respondents and 42,438 trips from the Greater Copenhagen area. This made it possible to analyse safety at stations while still taking into account other main determinants of public transport usage. The study also includes walking distances to various public transport stops, e.g. metro, suburban and regional train stations, and bus stops, hence taking into account possible differences in attitudes towards different public transport modes. The results of a logistic regression confirm the hypothesis of lower perceived safety at stations being negatively correlated with public transport mode choice, but still to a smaller extent than that of service characteristics in terms of service frequency. The study also revealed that travellers perceive metro and suburban rail services as more attractive, as compared to local rail and bus services. Hence, vicinity to such stations was associated with a higher likelihood of choosing public transport, thus highlighting the importance of close vicinity to high-class services being of the highest importance for attracting passengers to public transport while perceived safety being of minor, yet significant, importance.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdul Hamid N, Tan P-L, Mohamad Zali MF et al (2015) Safety and security needs of commuter rail services—travellers’ perceptions. J East Asia Soc Transp Stud 11:1495–1506. https://doi.org/10.11175/easts.11.1495
Abenoza RF, Cats O, Susilo YO (2017) Travel satisfaction with public transport: determinants, user classes, regional disparities and their evolution. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 95:64–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2016.11.011
Andridge RR, Little RJA (2010) A review of hot deck imputation for survey non-response. Int Stat Rev 78:40–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-5823.2010.00103.x
Badiora AI, Ojewale OS, Okunola OH (2015) Perceived risk and fear of crime in public transport nodes: the experience from Nigerian transit environment. Int J Crim Justice Sci 10(2):139–151
Barton MS, Gibbons J (2017) A stop too far: how does public transportation concentration influence neighbourhood median household income? Urban Stud 54:538–554. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098015593462
Beirão G, Sarsfield Cabral JA (2007) Understanding attitudes towards public transport and private car: a qualitative study. Transp Policy 14:478–489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2007.04.009
Ben-Akiva M, Lerman S (1985) Discrete Choice Analysis: Theory and Applications to Travel Demand. MIT Series in Transportation Studies. The MIT Press, Cambridge
Blainey S, Mulley C (2013) Using geographically weighted regression to forecast rail demand in the Sydney region. Australas Transp Res Forum, ATRF 2013 Proc 1–16
Börjesson M (2012) Valuing perceived insecurity associated with use of and access to public transport. Transp Policy 22:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.04.004
Boschmann EE, Brady SA (2013) Travel behaviors, sustainable mobility, and transit-oriented developments: a travel counts analysis of older adults in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area. J Transp Geogr 33:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2013.09.001
Buehler R (2011) Determinants of transport mode choice: a comparison of Germany and the USA. J Transp Geogr 19:644–657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2010.07.005
Cantwell M, Caulfield B, O’Mahony M (2009) Examining the factors that impact public transport commuting satisfaction. J Public Transp 12(2):1–21. https://doi.org/10.5038/2375-0901.12.2.1
Ceccato V (2014) Safety on the move: crime and perceived safety in transit environments. Secur J 27:127–131. https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2014.11
Cervero R, Murakami J, Miller M (2010) Direct ridership model of bus rapid transit in Los Angeles County, California. Transp Res Rec J Transp Res Board 2145:1–7. https://doi.org/10.3141/2145-01
Chakraborty A, Mishra S (2013) Land use and transit ridership connections: implications for state-level planning agencies. Land Use Policy 30:458–469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.04.017
Chen X, Zhao J (2013) Bidding to drive: car license auction policy in Shanghai and its public acceptance. Transp Policy 27:39–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.11.016
Chiou YC, Jou RC, Yang CH (2015) Factors affecting public transportation usage rate: geographically weighted regression. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 78:161–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2015.05.016
Christiansen H (2015) Documentation of the Danish National Travel Survey. Kgs. Lyngby
Cordera R, Canales C, dell’Olio L, Ibeas A (2015) Public transport demand elasticities during the recessionary phases of economic cycles. Transp Policy 42:173–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2015.05.022
Cozens P, van der Linde T (2015) Perceptions of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) at Australian Railway Stations. J Public Transp 18(4):73–92. https://doi.org/10.5038/2375-0901.18.4.5
Crampton G (2002) International comparison of urban light rail systems: the roles of integrated ticketing, pedestrianisation, and population density. Proc ERSA 2002 Conf Dortmund, Ger Paper 167
Crime Concern (2004) People’s perceptions of personal security and their concerns about crime on public transport: research findings. London: Department for Transport
Currie G, Ahern A, Delbosc A (2011) Exploring the drivers of light rail ridership: an empirical route level analysis of selected Australian, North American and European systems. Transportation 38:545–560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-010-9314-9
De Oña J, De Oña R, Eboli L, Mazzulla G (2013) Perceived service quality in bus transit service: a structural equation approach. Transp Policy 29:219–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2013.07.001
Delbosc A, Currie G (2012) Modelling the causes and impacts of personal safety perceptions on public transport ridership. Transp Policy 24:302–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.09.009
Derrible S, Kennedy C (2009) Network analysis of world subway systems using updated graph theory. Transp Res Rec J Transp Res Board 2112:17–25. https://doi.org/10.3141/2112-03
Dyrberg MB, Christensen CB (2015) Transfers in public transport route choice models. Master’s thesis. DTU Transport, Technical University of Denmark
Dziekan K, Kottenhoff K (2007) Dynamic at-stop real-time information displays for public transport: effects on customers. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 41:489–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2006.11.006
Eboli L, Mazzulla G (2015) Relationships between rail passengers’ satisfaction and service quality: a framework for identifying key service factors. Public Transp 7:185–201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12469-014-0096-x
Eboli L, Forciniti C, Mazzulla G (2018a) Formative and reflective measurement models for analysing transit service quality. Public Transp 10:107–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12469-017-0168-9
Eboli L, Forciniti C, Mazzulla G (2018b) Spatial variation of the perceived transit service quality at rail stations. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 114:67–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2018.01.032
Ewing R, Cervero R (2010) Travel and the built environment. J Am Plan Assoc 76:265–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944361003766766
Fan Y, Guthrie A, Levinson D (2016) Waiting time perceptions at transit stops and stations: Effects of basic amenities, gender, and security. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 88:251–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2016.04.012
Fellesson M, Friman M (2012) Perceived satisfaction with public transport service in nine European cities. J Transp Res Forum 47(3):93–103
Guerra E, Cervero R, Tischler D (2012) Half-mile circle: does it best represent transit station catchments? Transp Res Rec J Transp Res Board. https://doi.org/10.3141/2276-12
Guirao B, García-Pastor A, López-Lambas ME (2016) The importance of service quality attributes in public transportation: narrowing the gap between scientific research and practitioners’ needs. Transp Policy 49:68–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2016.04.003
Guo Z, Wilson NHM (2011) Assessing the cost of transfer inconvenience in public transport systems: a case study of the London Underground. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 45:91–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2010.11.002
Gutiérrez J, Cardozo OD, García-Palomares JC (2011) Transit ridership forecasting at station level: an approach based on distance-decay weighted regression. J Transp Geogr 19:1081–1092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2011.05.004
Heikkinen S, Henriksson P (2013) Äldres Resvanor—Äldre Trafikanter Som Heterogen Grupp Och Framtida Forskningsbehov
Hjorthol R (2013) Transport resources, mobility and unmet transport needs in old age. Ageing Soc 33:1190–1211. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X12000517
Hong J, Li T, Park D (2017) A statistical approach for a station-level subway ridership estimation: focus on the impact of bus demand and commercial business characteristics. World Acad Sci Eng Technol Int J Transp Veh Eng 4
Imaz A, Nurul Habib KM, Shalaby A, Idris AO (2015) Investigating the factors affecting transit user loyalty. Public Transp 7:39–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12469-014-0088-x
Ingvardson JB, Nielsen OA (2018) How urban density, network topology and socio-economy influence public transport ridership: empirical evidence from 48 European metropolitan areas. J Transp Geogr 72:50–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.07.002
Iseki H, Taylor B (2015) Style versus service? An analysis of user perceptions of transit stops and stations. J Public Transp 13(3):23–48. https://doi.org/10.5038/2375-0901.13.3.2
Jun MJ, Choi K, Jeong JE et al (2015) Land use characteristics of subway catchment areas and their influence on subway ridership in Seoul. J Transp Geogr 48:30–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2015.08.002
Kim S, Ulfarsson GF, Todd Hennessy J (2007) Analysis of light rail rider travel behavior: impacts of individual, built environment, and crime characteristics on transit access. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 41:511–522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2006.11.001
Kuby M, Barranda A, Upchurch C (2004) Factors influencing light-rail station boardings in the United States. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 38:223–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2003.10.006
Levinson D, Zhu S (2013) A portfolio theory of route choice. Transp Res Part C Emerg Technol 35:232–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trc.2013.03.001
Limtanakool N, Dijst M, Schwanen T (2006) The influence of socioeconomic characteristics, land use and travel time considerations on mode choice for medium- and longer-distance trips. J Transp Geogr 14:327–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2005.06.004
Liu C, Erdogan S, Ducca FW (2016) How to increase rail ridership in Maryland? Direct ridership models (DRM) for policy guidance. J Urban Plan Dev 142:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000340
Loukaitou-Sideris A (2014) Fear and safety in transit environments from the women’s perspective. Secur J 27:242–256. https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2014.9
Lynch G, Atkins S (1988) The influence of personal security fears on women’s travel patterns. Transportation 15:257–277. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00837584
Masoumi HE, Fastenmeier W (2016) Perceptions of security in public transport systems of Germany: prospects for future research. J Transp Secur 9:105–116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12198-016-0169-y
Mouwen A (2015) Drivers of customer satisfaction with public transport services. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 78:1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2015.05.005
Nkurunziza A, Zuidgeest M, Brussel M, Van den Bosch F (2012) Spatial variation of transit service quality preferences in Dar-es-Salaam. J Transp Geogr 24:12–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2012.06.001
Pasha M, Rifaat SM, Tay R, De Barros A (2016) Effects of street pattern, traffic, road infrastructure, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics on public transit ridership. KSCE J Civ Eng 20:1017–1022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-0693-6
Passagerpulsen (2017) De Nationale Passagertilfredshedsundersøgelser (tog)/National Passenger Satisfaction Surveys (train) 17:1–92 (in Danish)
Paulley N, Balcombe R, Mackett R et al (2006) The demand for public transport: the effects of fares, quality of service, income and car ownership. Transp Policy 13:295–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2005.12.004
SAS Institute Inc (2015) The LOGISTIC Procedure. 259
Şimşekoğlu Ö, Nordfjærn T, Rundmo T (2015) The role of attitudes, transport priorities, and car use habit for travel mode use and intentions to use public transportation in an urban Norwegian public. Transp Policy 42:113–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2015.05.019
Smith MJ (2008) Addressing the security needs of women passengers on public transport. Secur J 21:117–133. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.sj.8350071
Spears S, Houston D, Boarnet MG (2013) Illuminating the unseen in transit use: a framework for examining the effect of attitudes and perceptions on travel behavior. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 58:40–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2013.10.011
Stuart KR, Mednick M, Bockman J (2007) Structural equation model of customer satisfaction for the New York City subway system. Transp Res Rec J Transp Res Board 1735:133–137. https://doi.org/10.3141/1735-16
Taylor BD, Fink CNY (2013) Explaining transit ridership: What has the evidence shown? Transp Lett 5:15–26. https://doi.org/10.1179/1942786712z.0000000003
Taylor BD, Miller D, Iseki H, Fink C (2009) Nature and/or nurture? Analyzing the determinants of transit ridership across US urbanized areas. Transp Res Part A Policy Pract 43:60–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2008.06.007
van Lierop D, El-Geneidy A (2016) Enjoying loyalty: the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intentions in public transit. Res Transp Econ 59:50–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2016.04.001
van Lierop D, Badami MG, El-Geneidy AM (2018) What influences satisfaction and loyalty in public transport? A review of the literature. Transp Rev 38:52–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2017.1298683
Zhao J, Deng W, Song Y, Zhu Y (2013) What influences Metro station ridership in China? Insights from Nanjing. Cities 35:114–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2013.07.002
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the IPTOP (Integrated Public Transport Optimisation and Planning) research project funded by Innovation Fund Denmark for financing this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ingvardson, J.B., Nielsen, O.A. The influence of vicinity to stations, station characteristics and perceived safety on public transport mode choice: a case study from Copenhagen. Public Transp 14, 459–480 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12469-021-00285-x
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12469-021-00285-x