Car still the preferred choice, new study finds

[Darthrevan]

Despite the Government's push to get more motorists to switch to public transport, the car is still their preferred choice, a new study has found.

Even if a commuter lives within a 10-minute walk of a train station, his average train usage drops by 15 per cent when he has access to a car, researchers found.

Younger respondents also said they preferred driving, even during peak hours.

Some 37 per cent of 16- to 24-year-olds indicated they prefer cars, compared to 26 per cent of commuters aged 35 to 54 and 18 per cent of those aged 55 and above.

During off-peak travel, the figures were higher - to 43 per cent, 32 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.

Even though most respondents recognised that cars are the main culprits of congestion, they would not be willing to ditch their vehicles.

These were among key findings of a study of 1,500 people carried out between July 2012 and last month by Dr Pallab Saha of the National University of Singapore in collaboration with the Land Transport Authority.

The findings were shared with delegates at the inaugural Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition yesterday.

Dr Saha said people here are still too reliant on cars, despite the Government's efforts to beef up the public transport network and tighten vehicle ownership. Almost one in two Singapore households owns a car.

"The car becomes aspirational because you've to pay (in excess of) tens of thousands of dollars for a car and the COE," said Dr Saha. "It is something that one can use to project social success."

However the study also found that nearly two-thirds of motorists would take public transport if it becomes more costly to buy and use a car, and if there are fewer parking spaces.

Eight in 10 said they are likely to make the switch if they are given accurate information of arrival and departure times at bus stops, more areas are accessible by bus and train routes, and public transport capacity is increased.

Dr Saha said there is a need to change motorists' mindsets to wean them off their vehicles - like creating awareness of projects such as car-sharing schemes.

He said these are "more about getting access to a car, not so much owning one".

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/car-still-preferred-choice-new-study-finds-20131008

[Shibadog]

thus the case again for high cost for usage, as opposed to high cost of purchase (think ERP vs COE, ARF & CEVS)

 

on the other hand, the results of this "study" can also used to maximise revenue by maintaining status quo in taxes, while slowly adjusting ERP up in small quantums...

 

it all depends on the intended outcome.

[Baal]

Its like if ur used to use to using a mobile phone, can you accept that u have to revert to pager & public phone?
People will pay & pay to cling on. I can consider surrendering the car because I also have a love for motorcycles. But if its giving up the car & back to public tpt, I will do so grudgingly if I get priced out.

[Pisces69]

Its like if ur used to use to using a mobile phone, can you accept that u have to revert to pager & public phone?

People will pay & pay to cling on. I can consider surrendering the car because I also have a love for motorcycles. But if its giving up the car & back to public tpt, I will do so grudgingly if I get priced out.

The survey only confirms what most pple knew all along anyway.

 

Who wud consider switching from the convenience of yr own car to the inconvenience n discomfort of public transport.

 

Im about same as u. If the damm COE stays at the silly level it is now, I wil prob switch to a bike for transport.

 

But last time I worked abt 20 mins walk from my house n I walked to work n back everyday, even in the rain cos I enjoyed the exercise.

 

I hear the MRT n Buses r damm crowded nowadays during peak hrs. Also I find our MRT, Buses n Taxis damm expensive. The cost of taking a taxi is even more ex than owning a car if I use it for all my trips n I lose the convenience too.

 

I see pple waiting fr taxis(with bookings) during peak, rain, weekends n public holidays like waiting fr gold to drop from the sky.

 

I cant imagine using them unless I absoulutely hv no choice.

[Kratoschumacher]

They had to have a survey? They couldn't just look out of their window to find out the results?

[Porche]

If sales or outdoor job how to embrace public transport?

[Pisces69]

They had to have a survey? They couldn't just look out of their window to find out the results?

 

Ty prob paid a small fortune to one of their kaki survey company to do it. Need to find ways to transfer the $$$ from one pocket to another ma.

Edited October 8, 2013 by Pisces69

[Nf0rc3r]

This research is fei hua lol..

My research also found that people preferred higher paying jobs than lower paying ones

[Pisces69]

If sales or outdoor job how to embrace public transport?

Last time I start doing sales, I take bus n claim taxi fare when I go see clients.Hahaha.

 

But later no choice but get a car cos then more convenient n entertain also easier to fetch client(XMM) home.

This research is fei hua lol..

My research also found that people preferred higher paying jobs than lower paying ones

WOW!!!!

 

And how much did u manage to charge yr client for such important information?

[Limpeh23]

If given a choice, how many would prefer to squeeze in overcrowded MRT cabins and buses(and high chance of having to stand for majority of the journey) compared to having your own personal space and comfort in a car?

 

Such is the situation in SIngapore and of course, the exorbitant prices shelled out to purchase a set of wheels makes it a desired status symbol which many families aspire to own, whether they realise it or not.

 

 

[Kangadrool]

If sales or outdoor job how to embrace public transport?

 

Why do sales must have car? My co still have sales people taking public transport to do sales. They have a big lumpsum allowance, but if time allows, they take bus/trains to save cost. Every month, they have excess $$$ from transport allowance.

[Nzy]

Actually I think alot of people leaving their cars at home already. When I look out my house window on weekdays during office hours, still see at least 70% of the lots taken up by cars and most shoud be residents cuz they were there throughout the night.

[Kev1n]

ask this Dr Saha to lead by example, sell his car take public transport.. lol

[Roh96]

Useless piece of study. I can also tell them Sporean not only prefer car, they also prefer buying new car than used car.

[Penknife]

for now, i rather use my bike to travel than in a car.

 

coz most of my travel patterns is on morning and evening peak. and if i travel on my bike, i'm helping to reduce congestion so that drivers (who paid more money) will experience smoother traffic

[Pisces69]

Actually I think alot of people leaving their cars at home already. When I look out my house window on weekdays during office hours, still see at least 70% of the lots taken up by cars and most shoud be residents cuz they were there throughout the night.

 

 

Or now many pple hv 2 cars. Ty drive 1 to work n leave the other at home.

[Jamomatt]

Considering the congestion and cost, people still prefer a car. This says a lot about how lacking the public transport system is in Singapore.

[Maseratigood]

Last time I start doing sales, I take bus n claim taxi fare when I go see clients.Hahaha.

 

But later no choice but get a car cos then more convenient n entertain also easier to fetch client(XMM) home.

 

WOW!!!!

 

And how much did u manage to charge yr client for such important information?

Fetching xmm home for what??? Won't fetching them to somewhere more lomandick better?

 

I can supply more surveyed info:- surfing mcf is more interesting than surfing '100 ways to dig our nose'....

Considering the congestion and cost, people still prefer a car. This says a lot about how lacking the public transport system is in Singapore.

It's either too few trains, or too many users.... or both. Which is cheaper, easier, quicker too solve?

They had to have a survey? They couldn't just look out of their window to find out the results?

Poor eyesight could well be the problem even if they look out the Windows, or, they have selective viewing targets

The survey only confirms what most pple knew all along anyway.

 

Who wud consider switching from the convenience of yr own car to the inconvenience n discomfort of public transport.

 

Im about same as u. If the damm COE stays at the silly level it is now, I wil prob switch to a bike for transport.

 

But last time I worked abt 20 mins walk from my house n I walked to work n back everyday, even in the rain cos I enjoyed the exercise.

 

I hear the MRT n Buses r damm crowded nowadays during peak hrs. Also I find our MRT, Buses n Taxis damm expensive. The cost of taking a taxi is even more ex than owning a car if I use it for all my trips n I lose the convenience too.

 

I see pple waiting fr taxis(with bookings) during peak, rain, weekends n public holidays like waiting fr gold to drop from the sky.

 

I cant imagine using them unless I absoulutely hv no choice.