User Needs and Expectations for Future Traveling Services in Buses

Abstract

Cities worldwide face the need to reduce the usage of private cars and the emissions. Desirability of public transportation and its services is thus of major importance. When developing novel services for public transportation, it is crucial to consider the user -- the traveler -- perspective. We present results of a qualitative study of user needs and expectations of future traveling services, with the focus on the bus and its potential associated services. We interviewed ten students living in Finland who had a broad range of experiences of public transportation in various parts of the world. Our findings reveal topics that can be used as a basis of digital services that support or enrich the traveling experience. The results provide insights for the design of services for future buses, including the user needs at the bus stop, the bus itself and external functionalities that could be linked to the bus ride.