Passengers’ Intentions to Use Public Transport during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Bangkok and Jakarta

Abstract

Several problems have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the public transportation sector. Data from 2021 show that the number of bus passengers in Bangkok has decreased by 40–60% below normal conditions, and the number of bus passengers in Jakarta has decreased by around 76% compared to June 2019. In the new normal period, public transport is required to implement strict health protocols in its operations. This paper aims to evaluate potential indicators underlying the intention to use public transport during a pandemic. The target groups are public and paratransit buses in Bangkok and Jakarta, two metropolitan areas in ASEAN that have been greatly affected by this pandemic. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed in each city. The outcome from the structural equation model reveals a relatively similar finding in both cities. Tangibility is one of the five dimensions of service quality that is influential in both cities; this indicator affects the intention to use public transportation in Jakarta (Coeff. = 14.670, p-value < 0.001) and Bangkok (Coeff. = 1.164, p-value < 0.001). In this study, confidence (CO) is significant for the intention to use public transportation in both cities with a coefficient of 0.105 for Bangkok and 0.969 for Jakarta. Furthermore, the health measure indicator (HM) has a significant value on passenger confidence (CO) in using public transportation for both cities (Coeff. = 0.808, p-value = <0.001 in Bangkok and Coeff. = −1.413, p-value = 0.008 in Jakarta). Health measures such as wearing a mask, always washing hands and not traveling if unwell are considered to be the right policies to prevent the spread of the virus during the COVID-19 pandemic. This practical implication can become a core strategy for improving the quality of public transport services in similar cities.

Unravelling Insights into the Evolution and Management of SARS-CoV-2

“…To reduce transmission, such measures include early detection of infected persons, seclusion, and tracking of their close connexions. Travel restrictions, social withdrawal, and enhanced hygiene helped to stop the virus's spread [204]. NPIs can reduce viral reproduction and delay viral transmission if implemented early, which would reduce the impact of the outbreak.…”

Modeling Extended Service Quality for Public Transportation in the Post-Pandemic Period: Differentiating between Urban and Rural Areas: A Case Study of Intercity Railway, Thailand

“…The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. Eboli and Mazzulla [9] Italy SEM de Oña et al [56] Italy Decision tree Hundal and Kumar [11] India Gap analysis Eboli et al [24] Italy Fuzzy evaluation Shen et al [19] China SEM Putra and Sitanggang [57] Indonesia Gap analysis Machado-León et al [22] Algeria IPA Miranda et al [58] Portugal Regression Jomnonkwao et al [5] Thailand EFA Yuda Bakti et al [59] Indonesia Hedonic model Wang et al [60] China SEM Wonglakorn et al [21] Thailand SEM Ibrahim et al [10] Malaysia Neural network Shi et al [61] China Evaluation method Yang et al [23] China Regression Hidayat and Choocharukul [62] Thailand and Indonesia SEM Gopal Vasanthi et al [12] India Hierarchical regression This study Thailand Multigroup CFA Note: IPA = important performance-analysis; SEM = structural equation modeling; EFA = exploratory factor analysis; CFA = confirmatory factor analysis.…”

Examining the Impact of Service Quality on Passengers’ Intentions to Utilize Rail Transport in the Post-Pandemic Era: An Integrated Approach of SERVQUAL and Health Belief Model

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shift in users' perspectives, leading them to prioritize their health status and hygiene [7][8][9]. In the post-pandemic period, public transport must implement stringent health protocols in its operations to ensure safety [10]. The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been detrimental to all countries, resulting in significant political, social, transportation, and economic slowdowns worldwide [11].…”

“…Research on rail transport service in the post-pandemic era remains an indispensable and highly relevant area of investigation, underpinned by a multitude of compelling reasons. While past research efforts have indeed addressed the enhancement of rail transport service quality, including studies conducted both before [17][18][19] and during the COVID-19 pandemic [10,20], the transformative impact of the pandemic on various facets of daily life, particularly in the realm of transportation, underscores the distinct and pressing need for further examination in this context. The challenges confronting rail transport services in the post-pandemic period are notably distinct from those encountered in preceding times, demanding a nuanced understanding and tailored responses.…”

“…Amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the emphasis on passengers' perspectives, awareness of the virus, and concerns about health and safety have become central in the travel industry. As underscored in the pertinent literature [7,8,10,25] it is crucial for service providers to address these facets. Even though the acute phase of the pandemic has subsided and COVID-19 has been reclassified as an endemic disease, one cannot overlook the sustained awareness among users regarding the perceived severity and concerns of infection.…”