Chinese passengers’ security perceptions of ride-hailing services: An integrated approach combining general and situational perspectives

Abstract

Passengers’ security perceptions of ride-hailing services influence their acceptance and adoption of such online-to-offline services. The current study aims to study factors that influence Chinese passengers’ security perceptions of ride-hailing services in general and for a specific ride. Based on a literature review and information sourced from focus groups, we identified three groups of issues influencing security perceptions: the perception of the risk, the situation of a specific ride, and individual differences. Through two rounds of surveys, involving 163 and 314 respondents respectively, we identified four risk factors and four situation factors. Regression analyses showed that general security perceptions of ride-hailing services were influenced by two risk factors, perceived possibility and familiarity of the risk. Situational security perceptions were only slightly influenced by the general perceived security, but more influenced by situation characteristics including interaction with the driver and the vehicle, trip companions, and trip duration. The online platform, however, had no significant influence. The differences between sexual assaults and other types of personal assaults, between ride-hailing services and traditional taxi services, and between female and male passengers were analyzed and discussed. The results provide implications on how to improve ride-hailing services to enhance passengers’ perceived security.