Examining the ride-hailing adoption behaviors among older adults in an Indonesian city: The case of Yogyakarta

Abstract

A substantial amount of research has been conducted to understand the ride-hailing (RH) adoption behaviors, but only limited efforts have been invested in exploring how older adults ride and request an RH service, especially in developing countries. In overcoming this constraint, this study applied a nested logit model to examine the RH adoption behaviors in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, categorizing them into five groups: self-request riders, riders requested by others, current non-riders, RH app-less non-riders, and RH app-installed non-riders. The influence factors of RH adoption among older adults are also investigated. By involving 289 older adults aged 50 years and above, the study found that women and older adults aged between 50 and 54 years were likely to be self-request riders. Meanwhile, low-income RH riders tend to ask others to request RH. Additionally, older adults living in households that own more cars and motorbikes were less likely to be self-request riders. Concerning technology response, the study found that smartphone ownership affects RH riders to self-request, while RH app-installed non-riders come from older adults who have used smartphones for a long time. Riders with good health conditions continue to use RH services to support their mobility needs. Limited abilities related to technology, senses, and physique experienced by older adults also significantly impact the adoption behaviors of RH services. The findings provide a starting point for increasing the availability of RH services to substantially older adults, especially those who have barriers to using technology.