Alternative Forms of Transport Preferences Exhibited by Young Users of Krakow Urban Space

Abstract

: In large cities, we witness the development of alternative transport which accompanies the alternative car, motorcycle, scooter and bicycle transport and public transport, as well as traditional taxi transport. Such alternative forms of transport include the following transportation services: services similar to taxi services (however in lower price and offering alternative order placement methods when, i.e. ordering via a car rental application); rental of cars (owned by an enterprise or private owners) for minutes or hours, known as car sharing; and bicycle rental offered in a public rental system. Because of the specificity of order realisation, which requires access to the computer or a mobile device and the Internet and/or special app, alternative transport services are typically used by young people. In addition, a number of features characteristic for the younger digital generation (network generation, Y generation) supports a growing popularity of the transportation among the generation. Some of the features include: desire of freedom, personalisation, close observation, sensitivity to credibility and openness, desire of entertainment, joint actions, networking, a need for speed, innovation. The above-mentioned research was conducted on a pool of younger Y generation representatives, aged 19-24. Respondents are very happy to use alternative transport, they also plan to use it in the future and encourage others to do so. The key reason for their choosing such a type of transport is the freedom of choice of time and place, i.e. a vehicle is available any time and any place. On the other hand, they place some importance on the financial factor, but it is not decisive when compared to other advantages. Similarly, environment-friendly and collaborative aspects in the context of alternative transport choices have not been confirmed by the respondents’ opinion.