UC Irvine

This research investigates the influence of smart phones applications on transit ridership and transit riders’ behavior in Los Angeles and in Berlin. In Los Angeles County, monthly ridership is observed before and after the emergence of smartphone applications (apps). A fixed effects panel model is estimated to explain monthly ridership using variables that likely affect monthly ridership to estimate the impact of smartphone apps. I find that, train ridership increased by 0.02 due to the emergence of smartphone apps but that bus ridership was not impacted. In Berlin, the effect of smartphone application is captured through various interviews and a survey of students and faculty of Humboldt University. An analysis of the results shows that transit riders mostly seek and value information related to bus, transfer connectivity, and leisure activities.