Characterization of Ride-Hailing Use for Commuting During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tehran

Prior to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, ride hailing was a popular mode of transportation and supplement to public transit, particularly in cities with inadequate public transit to meet the demand. With the COVID-19 pandemic, public transportation avoidance due to fear of infection, and a greater propensity to use private modes, it became essential to comprehend the evolution of ride hailing demand, particularly in developing countries. Using two face-to-face surveys, this research examines the evolution of ride hailing in urban transportation and compares its adoption to the scenario prior to the pandemic. It also examines how it changed throughout the pandemic in relation to private and public modes, taking into account new conditions and economic hardships. The results indicate that ride-hailing use has decreased compared to pre-pandemic. Nonetheless, its modal share for commuting trips has stayed consistent, whilst private modes' modal share has climbed and public transport's modal share has fallen. Health-related concerns and demographical characteristics can explain the decline in this mode's adoption. Yet, economic factors like declining purchasing power and rising fares are stronger impediments. Access appears to be more restricted for individuals from varied economic and social backgrounds than before the pandemic, which raises significant long-term social justice concerns.

Characterization of Ride-Hailing Use for Commuting During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tehran Keywords:

Ride-hailing , Transportation , Covid-19 pandemic , ordered logit , Tehran.