An investigation into passenger preference for express trains during peak hours

Abstract

Seoul South Korea metro line 9 has a relatively short (27 km) length and dispatches express and local trains alternately with a 3-min headway. Despite a minimal time saving and more crowded conditions with regard to express trains, the passenger dependence on them is growing. The present study investigated the potential reasons for this seemingly irrational phenomenon during peak hours. A multinomial logit model was set up based only on route-specific variables, such as travel times and the proportion of express-train-involved travel time. Furthermore, the influence of trip-related properties, individual-specific characteristics, and latent factors on the preference for express trains was identified by adopting an interaction variable model. As a result, passenger transferrals from, or to, other lines, had a positive influence on the choice of express trains, but those who regularly used line 9 were less dependent on express trains. Passengers with pre-trip plans tended to prefer the use of express trains. Regarding the latent variables, passengers who were well aware of the line 9 system and sensitive to sanitation tended to choose express trains, while those who were sensitive to comfort tended to avoid express trains.