Transportation infrastructure development and subjective socio-economic status: A quasi-experiment in establishing rural bus stations in China

Infrastructure construction has significant economic benefits for rural residents, but little literature discusses the impact on their psychological benefits. Setting the establishment of bus stations in rural China as a quasi-natural experiment and based on the 2014–2016 China Labor-Force Dynamic Survey, this study uses the difference-in-differences model to examine the effect of bus stations on the subjective socio-economic status (SES) of rural residents. The results show that the SES of rural residents has significantly improved after establishing bus stations. In addition, the establishment of bus stations has raised the wages and operating income of rural residents, as well as medical and educational expenses. Thus, rural bus stations contribute to the accumulation of physical and human capital, thereby increasing SES. In terms of reducing information asymmetry, the construction of the bus station has a stronger promotion effect for groups with low education status and income levels. In terms of promoting factor mobility, construction is more helpful in promoting physical health and residents living in rugged areas. These findings contribute to the literature on social class in rural areas by clarifying the psychological mechanism of infrastructure construction's effect on SES.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2023.101006
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210539523000640
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/22105395
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Cui, Yadong
  • Xu, Su
  • Jiang, Yaohui
  • Zhang, Zhaowen
• Publication Date: 2023-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: 101006
• Serial:
  • Research in Transportation Business & Management
  • Volume: 49
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 2210-5395
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/22105395

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus terminals; Infrastructure; Rural areas; Socioeconomic development
• Geographic Terms: China
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01887827
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 18 2023 9:16AM