Does ride hailing technology really impact travel behaviour? uTrack CEO Eamonn Hughes finds out
When I’m in London I use Uber. I probably shouldn’t admit to this publicly with some of my largest clients serving London. But when I’m attending an important meeting I tend to avoid all forms of public transport for the convenience of my smartphone.
Long gone are the days where I would think of getting a black cab with its inflated prices and compulsory driver opinion. And, as for the joys of getting on a packed tube in a suit on a hot day, well no thanks. Somehow, at some point, I perceived Uber to be quick, cheap, and just easier.
Ride hailing impact
What impact does this have on conventional public transport? Until now research has been virtually non-existent.
Now, a report has analysed exactly what Uber, and other ride hailing companies like Lyft have started to have on buses and other options.
The UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies has undertaken the first known study, taking data from across US cities looking at how the new options are affecting conventional travel.
The problem has been people like me, automatically selecting Uber. The number of people converting to ride hailing is large and rising dramatically.
The results are not surprising. Uber and its like have reduced bus journeys, hiring bikes and indeed walking.
I appreciate there’s a fundamental difference in the availability of public transport in the US. In the UK we’re more advanced with London often set as a leading world example. Yet, it’s astonishing how quickly the public has spoken with its change in habits.
The agility displayed by Uber and relatively slow control of regulation, coupled with a lack of decent research has resulted in transport planners being unable to make informed planning decisions.
Success generates problem
This merely adds to the problem as Uber’s success has resulted in more individual journeys, resulting in more congestion than before, as many of us opt for the easy, quick and cheap option.
This exacerbates a major problem. If public transport systems are losing and not generating new passengers, then what does mean for the other key issue of tackling air quality? Especially in the US where transport has become the largest contributor to the climate, outstripping power generation for the first time.
Clearly tough choices need to be made if workable solutions are to be had around sensible-shared mobility, particularly around car sharing, and that whole awkward question about getting technology to maximise resources while we share journeys with strangers.
London’s decision regarding Uber and partnerships with the likes of Citymapper and Gett make for a very interesting journey ahead in the coming 12 months.
