Comparative evaluation of commuters’ preferences and expectations for sharing auto-rickshaw

Abstract

Sharing auto-rickshaws is an environmentally-friendly and economical mode of transportation and can address congestion in urban areas. Its informal structure and lack of studies are causing significant challenges in its integration and policy push towards commuters’ adoption. Therefore, the present study is one of the first studies on sharing auto-rickshaw. The study compares non-users (solo trips in auto-rickshaw) with users of sharing auto-rickshaw. Data is collected from 503 users and non-users in mumbai metropolitan region (mmr). The ranking method identifies the most critical indicators that form non-users’ expectations: safety issues and drivers’ characteristics. Exploratory factor analysis (efa), confirmatory factor analysis (cfa), and structural equation modeling (sem) are used to develop constructs of a conceptual framework for satisfaction among users and to test hypothesized relationships among the dimensions. The results indicate that behavioral intentions (bei) and perceived values (pev) are the most crucial dimensions in adopting sharing auto-rickshaw. Projecting sharing auto-rickshaw as an environmentally friendly option and developing a recommendation system for users will produce maximum benefits. Mediated relationships indicate that vehicle and management improvements without a parallel focus on improving bei and pev will not yield significant positive results. The research's findings can provide policymakers with information for designing effective policies to attract non-user to sharing auto-rickshaws and retain current users. © 2021 world conference on transport research society