Editorial

Abstract

This issue of the TOTS journal focusses entirely on transport modes that are not related to the use of the private car: walking, cycling, public transport and so-called micro-mobility. The topics dealt with are mode choice and what lies behind it, satisfaction of users with different modes, attitudes of the public towards new modes like the e-scooter, and the perceived effectiveness of measures that aim at shaping mode choice. To start with, Shkera & Patankar analyse mode choice behaviour for shopping-related excursions in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, trying to identify key determinants influencing individuals' decisions between sustainable travel options and private vehicles. They thereby utilise empirical data from questionnaire surveys conducted on both weekdays and weekends. As in many earlier studies, car ownership, gender, and income emerged as significant mode-choice determinants. The study emphasizes the need for policies prioritising public transport infrastructure and services while promoting environmental sustainability. According to the authors, a more nuanced approach to understand variations within demographic and built environment settings is needed if societies want to take steps towards a more sustainable and liveable urban future. Work and school trips and factors influencing mode choice for those types of trips are dealt with by Deneke et al. in their study in Hawassa City, Ethiopia. To this end, they conducted surveys, inspections of workplace and school travel, and site visits to key transportation hubs at several locations in the city. Travel behaviour of employees and students were then analysed with the help of a multinomial logit model, thereby treating the choice of transportation mode for a trip as the dependent variable with travel time and costs, among others, as independent variables. The authors found that average monthly income, total travel time, total travel cost, and comfort during the journey significantly influence mode choice. Interestingly, the study highlights that students tend to favour public transportation over motorcycles, but preconditions seem to undermine intentions to use public transport more systematically and more frequently. Appropriate policy is needed to improve preconditions.The paper of Javid et al., dealing with the customers' satisfaction with public transportation in Faisalabad (Pakistan), and the implications for a bus rapid transit service, display a similar tendency. Customers there are not satisfied with the existing public-transport options. However, they would be prepared to engage in the use of a bus rapid transit service, if attributes like acceptable costs, more appropriate travel times, time reliability, comfort, and safety - especially for female travellers - were provided. Again, the initiative of policy makers is needed in this respect.An interesting assumption is the starting point for another paper. Adrie & Rakhmatulloh hypothesise that providing better - or even optimum - preconditions for cycling could turn out as a pivotal move for transitioning towards a low-carbon city. Particularly, the possibility to cover the first and the last mile in connection with public transportation use, and the easiness of use in high-density are