Information for travelling: Awareness and usage of the various sources of information available to public transport users in NSW
Access status:
Open Access
Type
Working PaperAbstract
Public transport authorities and service providers place great emphasis on information provision to travellers both before and during travel. Information provided prior to travel has included brochures, printed timetables, newspaper advertisements, telephone services and marketing ...
See morePublic transport authorities and service providers place great emphasis on information provision to travellers both before and during travel. Information provided prior to travel has included brochures, printed timetables, newspaper advertisements, telephone services and marketing campaigns. During the trip, providers have tended to use maps at public transport stops (i.e. bus stops, train stations, ferry wharves, etc.) as well as timetables both static and dynamic or real-time. Some of these channels are still used but improvements in digital technology has led to a wider range of information distributed using different digital media. Whilst Transport for NSW continues to provide the more traditional information, as do the transport operators, there has been a plethora of third party applications which are accessible on the move. The literature recognises the importance of information provision and the need for information differs at the various stages of the trip, from planning, to point of entry into the system to wayfinding during the trip to egress from the system, but no systematic research exists as to which information is valued by which customers. Different passenger segments are likely to prefer information in different ways and it is important to identify the segments and their information preferences so as to promote public transport use. This paper provides a context for passenger information provision through existing literature which is used to frame an internet survey of the public’s awareness and usage of public transport information. The paper explores the differences between casual and regular users of public transport as well as the usage and importance placed on the various sources of information currently available, including any differences relating to regular schedules, changes to regular services, planned and unplanned disruptions. The paper provides a reference for other states in Australia as to the value of different types of information.
See less
See morePublic transport authorities and service providers place great emphasis on information provision to travellers both before and during travel. Information provided prior to travel has included brochures, printed timetables, newspaper advertisements, telephone services and marketing campaigns. During the trip, providers have tended to use maps at public transport stops (i.e. bus stops, train stations, ferry wharves, etc.) as well as timetables both static and dynamic or real-time. Some of these channels are still used but improvements in digital technology has led to a wider range of information distributed using different digital media. Whilst Transport for NSW continues to provide the more traditional information, as do the transport operators, there has been a plethora of third party applications which are accessible on the move. The literature recognises the importance of information provision and the need for information differs at the various stages of the trip, from planning, to point of entry into the system to wayfinding during the trip to egress from the system, but no systematic research exists as to which information is valued by which customers. Different passenger segments are likely to prefer information in different ways and it is important to identify the segments and their information preferences so as to promote public transport use. This paper provides a context for passenger information provision through existing literature which is used to frame an internet survey of the public’s awareness and usage of public transport information. The paper explores the differences between casual and regular users of public transport as well as the usage and importance placed on the various sources of information currently available, including any differences relating to regular schedules, changes to regular services, planned and unplanned disruptions. The paper provides a reference for other states in Australia as to the value of different types of information.
See less
Date
2016-07-01Department, Discipline or Centre
ITLSShare