Covid-19 Influence on Travelers/ Commuters' Attitude towards Taxi Services in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

With COVID-19, significant life events can alter how individuals perceive and employ transportation systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted people's lives for a considerable time and may impact how people see travel and use transportation services. Due to the COVID-19 pandemics' severe physiological and psychological effects and ongoing financial difficulties, critical personnel must continue traveling for necessary tasks. The main aim of this study was to explore the use of taxi services after the Covid 19 pandemic perceived by travelers and commuters. To analyze the factors that influenced how people behave while using taxis for necessary travel during the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and other Saudi Arabian cities. Between October 30 and December 15, 2021, 524 Saudi travelers participated in the online questionnaire assessment. Respondents' attitudes, perceptions, and attentiveness regarding taxi services after the lockdown were measured using a categorical scale. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS-20 version and the Chi-Square, Phi, and Cramer's V tests to analyze were applied. The results of this study revealed how the COVID-19 outbreak caused some people to rethink their travel. This allows behavior-change approaches to target motives, challenges, and attitudes about changing travel options.