Ali Nazemi, Reihaneh Azhdar, Majid Feshari, Shima Nouri,
Volume 7, Issue 26 (12-2016)
Abstract
In this study, the effect of fare changes on commuters' motivation to change their travel time in the Tehran subway during peak hours was evaluated. A sample of 432 Tehran metro passengers who commuted between 6:30 and 9 am was studied, and their preferences were examined. The main question in this article is whether fare changes could affect passenger behavior. We evaluated fare changes and influencing factors using discrete choice models, including Probit regression models. The results indicated that commuters who received an allowance from their workplace were more willing to change their departure time. People with flexible schedules were not attracted to fare changes, as they perceived little benefits from this adjustment. The findings of this study suggest that increasing fares during the morning peak is not an effective measure. They indicate that people are more motivated when being rewarded rather than punished. Moreover, some commuters might decide to use a different mode of transportation for commuting instead of taking an earlier subway trip, which would have a negative implication for morning transportation.
