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How persuasive is 'free' public transport?: A survey among commuters in the Brussels Capital Region

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  • De Witte, Astrid
  • Macharis, Cathy
  • Mairesse, Olivier

Abstract

In Belgium, several cities have been experimenting with 'free' public transport based on the concept of a third payer system. This study explores the modal shift potential of this measure for commuters by means of a large-scale survey. The results indicate that there is still a margin for a further modal shift, but in order to make public transport more attractive to car users, the price paid by the commuter should be lowered, the quality and capacity of the public services should be improved and the mobility policy of the companies should be adjusted in favour of public transport.

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  • De Witte, Astrid & Macharis, Cathy & Mairesse, Olivier, 2008. "How persuasive is 'free' public transport?: A survey among commuters in the Brussels Capital Region," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 216-224, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:15:y:2008:i:4:p:216-224
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    9. Cools, Mario & Fabbro, Yannick & Bellemans, Tom, 2016. "Free public transport: A socio-cognitive analysis," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 96-107.
    10. Bull, Owen & Muñoz, Juan Carlos & Silva, Hugo E., 2021. "The impact of fare-free public transport on travel behavior: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    11. De Witte, Astrid & Hollevoet, Joachim & Dobruszkes, Frédéric & Hubert, Michel & Macharis, Cathy, 2013. "Linking modal choice to motility: A comprehensive review," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 329-341.
    12. Laurent Van Malderen & Bart Jourquin & Isabelle Thomas, 2012. "Employers Transport Plans: Do They Change The Commuting Behaviour Of Workers?," ERSA conference papers ersa12p1048, European Regional Science Association.
    13. Tercan, Şafak Hengirmen, 2021. "Second-hand renovated trams as a novel decision strategy for public transport investment," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 364-371.
    14. Cass, Noel & Faulconbridge, James, 2016. "Commuting practices: New insights into modal shift from theories of social practice," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 1-14.
    15. Robert TOMANEK, 2017. "Free-Fare Public Transport In The Concept Of Sustainable Urban Mobility," Transport Problems, Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Transport, vol. 12(SE), pages 95-105, December.
    16. Macharis, Cathy & De Witte, Astrid, 2012. "The typical company car user does not exist: The case of Flemish company car drivers," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 91-98.
    17. Cheng, Yung-Hsiang & Tseng, Wei-Chih, 2016. "Exploring the effects of perceived values, free bus transfer, and penalties on intermodal metro–bus transfer users' intention," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 127-138.
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