Uber Economics: Evaluating the Monetary and Nonmonetary Tradeoffs of TNC and Transit Services in Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago, as with other metropolitan regions, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) represent a potential diversion of passengers from public transportation services. Little is known about how service attributes influence mode choice between ridesharing and public transit. This study evaluated price and service levels for Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Lyft, Uber, Lyft Line, and UberPool services in the Chicago area. 614 trips in the four to eleven mile range, comprising 3,075 fares, were analyzed. Conclusions are: 1) TNC services save time but are relatively costly. Fares for Lyft Line and UberPool have fallen compared to Lyft and Uber. 2) Public transit and ridesharing services serve different mobility roles. Passengers who have an unfavorable perception of transit choose ridesharing at six times the rate of those who have a favorable perception. 3) CTA should implement programs that integrate ridesharing and transit use in such a way as to minimize risk of revenue loss. Specific recommendations include: 1) Use the Ventra app and other online tools to integrate transit and ridesharing services. 2) Provide discounts on ridesharing trips to and from chosen outlying rail stations during times of infrequent bus service. 3) Improve mobility for passengers with disabilities and those on medical-related trips through pilot programs linking CTA and TNCs. 4) Examine the utility of "guaranteed ride home" programs for commuters.

• Record URL:
  https://las.depaul.edu/centers-and-institutes/chaddick-institute-for-metropolitan-development/research-and-publications/Documents/Uber%20Economics_Live.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  DePaul University

  Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development, 243 South Wabash Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60604
• Authors:
  • Schwieterman, Joseph P
  • Livingston, Mallory
• Publication Date: 2018-5-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 32p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fares; Market share; Metropolitan areas; Microeconomics; Mode choice; Public transit; Ridesharing; Ridesourcing
• Identifier Terms: Chicago Transit Authority; Lyft; Uber
• Geographic Terms: Chicago (Illinois)
• Subject Areas: Economics; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01679189
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 27 2018 2:05PM