Comparing Factors Affecting Inter and Intra-City Travel Mode Choice: Case of University Students

Abstract

With the enabling factors by globalization, people are traveling more than ever. Especially, young are traveling alone or their peers more freely, easily and inexpensively. Indeed, Richards and Wilson (2003) report that around one-fifth of all travels in the world are made by youngsters. Increasing number of transportation options and at the same time decreasing travel prices requires travel companies to understand university students' travel behavior and affecting factors to better serve this special group of travelers. Even though there are studies available regarding the travel mode choice in some extend, there are gaps remain in the literature about factors affecting travel mode choice and in the university student sub-market. In order to help close this gap, an extensive study has been undertaken among university students. Part of this extensive study delves with the factors affecting travel mode choice inter and intra-city. A survey developed from the existing literature along with exploratory qualitative interviews, were conducted in class environment with university students in five universities in five cities in Turkey. Exploratory factor analysis results indicated two main factors: Primary (price, safety, speed and comfort) and Secondary (feeling free, reducing stress, environmental concerns, prestige and status). These two factors affecting inter and intra-city travel mode choice are considered similarly, but students weighed more importance to primary factors than secondary ones. Moreover, findings suggest that students consider both factors more important when traveling intra-city than inter-city.