Demand on public transportation during the economic crisis : the Greek case

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effect on the demand for public transportation in the economic crisis in Greece. Design/methodology/Approach: Methodology is aimed at finding the factors that affect the demand on urban transport. For this reason, a questionnaire was used in Athens, with qualitative, quantitative and social characteristics of the people, aiming at presenting a new rational policymaking after the economic crisis. Practical implications: Greece entered in the economic crisis in 2009, where the main features were the high debt cycle, deficits, unemployment and a decrease in the Gross Domestic Product. Since public transport is linked to economic conditions the economic crisis has positively affected public transport. The proposed model can be used as an effective policy in public transport. Originality/value: The previous studies were largely descriptive, leaving a gap in the quantification of demand-related data. They mainly identified qualitative characteristics without reaching the level of gravity that each factor contributes to the economic crisis as in this research.