PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND CSAR-SHARING: BENEFITS AND EFFECTS OF COMBINED SERVICES

U Huwer

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2004

Subject Area

infrastructure - station, ridership - commuting, economics - benefits, mode - mass transit, mode - car

Keywords

Travel behavior, Transit, Teamwork, Station cars (Car sharing), Public transit, Multimodal transportation, Multimodal systems, Mass transit, Local transit, Local government, Germany, Customer service, Customer satisfaction, Cooperation, Collaboration, Case studies, Car sharing

Abstract

To achieve effective cooperation, car-sharing must be integrated into public transportation services. This paper presents recommendations from a German research project on synthesizing public transport and car-sharing/car clubs. The adoption process, mobility behavior and customer satisfaction were investigated within the context of model projects in two German cities in order to determine the effects and factors of success of combined services. Findings indicate that car-sharing is suitable as a supplement to public transportation. The success of combined services depends on forward-thinking public transportation operators and a strong partnership with the government to create the preconditions for car sharing. Main principles for cooperation include: adapting the product to the local situation; shaping spatial interfaces as recognizable mobility points; offering service/customer care in one location; jointly advertising for combined mobility; creating a simple price structure with low entrance barriers; and offering testability.

Comments

Transport Policy Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0967070X

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