Conducting a Sociological Survey to Improve Tariff Policy in Urban Passenger Transport

Abstract

The study is devoted to improving the quality and tariff policy in urban passenger transport. An analysis of the Ukrainian transport industry showed that passenger traffic in public transport had been steadily declining over the past six years (passenger traffic of trams, on average, by 4% annually, trolleybuses - by 2.9%), which is a negative trend and is primarily associated with an increase in personal cars. This leads to massive traffic congestion, conflict situations, an increase in travel time to and from work, an increase in air pollution, a loss-making transport system, etc. The study of theoretical issues allowed us to formulate three hypotheses that the authors tested empirically - conducted a sociological survey of the opinions of existing and potential users, which allowed us to identify which factors are decisive when choosing whether to use public transport. As a result of the study, all hypotheses were confirmed, but two of them were adjusted. The study showed that passengers are not ready for a significant increase (3-4 times) in the cost of a ticket, but are willing to pay more for a ticket with increased safety and comfort in public city transport; passengers are more likely to use urban public transport more often if it meets their requirements, but there is a category of drivers who under no circumstances will abandon their cars. Based on this, recommendations were developed regarding both the improvement of the tariff policy and the general issue as a whole.