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Exploring the causal impact of transit fare exemptions on older adults’ travel behavior: Evidence from the Seoul metropolitan area

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  • Shin, Eun Jin

Abstract

This study examines how a transportation policy enabling free subway travel for older adults affects their travel behavior. It improves upon previous research by identifying the causal effects of a fare-free transit policy for older adults on a wider range of travel behavior. Using a regression discontinuity research design, this study investigates how eligibility for fare-free subway rides (the age-65 threshold) influences travel behavior among older adults in the Seoul metropolitan area, South Korea. The results show that the fare-free subway policy for older adults increases the number of subway trips, which partly replaces trips by other transportation modes. Specifically, a discrete jump in the number of subway trips at age 65 replaces some auto trips and contributes to a significant reduction in household vehicle ownership. However, eligibility for the subway fare exemption has no statistically significant effects on outcomes related to social/leisure trips, although it does have varying impact on active travel by the level of household income. In addition to offering valuable lessons for cities with a similar policy, the findings of this study inform current debates on the fare-free subway policy in South Korea.

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  • Shin, Eun Jin, 2021. "Exploring the causal impact of transit fare exemptions on older adults’ travel behavior: Evidence from the Seoul metropolitan area," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 319-338.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:149:y:2021:i:c:p:319-338
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2021.05.007
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    Cited by:

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    2. Huber, Martin & Meier, Jonas & Wallimann, Hannes, 2022. "Business analytics meets artificial intelligence: Assessing the demand effects of discounts on Swiss train tickets," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 22-39.
    3. Yuan, Dandan & Zhao, Pengjun & Yu, Zhao & Liu, Qiyang, 2023. "Villagers' travel burden and the built environment in rural China: Evidence from a national level survey," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    4. Wallimann, Hannes & Blättler, Kevin & von Arx, Widar, 2023. "Do price reductions attract customers in urban public transport? A synthetic control approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    5. Hannes Wallimann & Kevin Blattler & Widar von Arx, 2021. "Do price reductions attract customers in urban public transport? A synthetic control approach," Papers 2111.14613, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2022.
    6. Muhammad Ahmad Al-Rashid & Muhammad Nadeem & Tiziana Campisi & Yong Adilah Shamsul Harumain & Hong Ching Goh, 2022. "How Do Psychosocial Barriers Shape Public Transport Use? A Mixed-Method Study among Older Adults in Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.

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