Public transport and public health: Regulatory focus and the impact of COVID-19 on the choice of public transport mode

OBJECTIVE: Based on regulatory focus theory, it was predicted that there would be a relationship between regulatory focus, health-related perceived risk of using public transport during COVID-19, and choice of public transport mode. METHOD: The study focused on choice between demand responsive transport (DRT), and more traditional modes of public transport, buses and private taxis. Participants completed online questionnaires to measure chronic regulatory focus, perception of health-related risk of using public transport, and choice of public transport mode (choice between buses and DRT, and separately, between taxis and DRT). RESULTS: The choice between buses and DRT is explained by moderation. The relationship between promotion focus and choice is moderated by risk perception whereas the relationship between prevention focus and choice is moderated by age. Specifically, the probability of choosing DRT is smaller for those saying DRT is riskier (relative to bus is riskier), and the effect gets stronger with increasing strength of promotion focus. Furthermore, the probability of choosing DRT increases with increasing strength of prevention focus for individuals older in age, but decreases with increasing strength of prevention focus for those younger in age. The choice between taxis and DRT is explained by mediated-moderation. The relationship between promotion focus and choice is moderated by age and mediated by risk perception. Specifically, the probability of saying that DRT is riskier than taxis decreases with increasing strength of promotion focus for individuals older in age. As a result, the probability of choosing DRT increases with increasing strength of promotion focus for older people. Moreover, the probability of saying that DRT is riskier than taxis increases with increasing strength of promotion focus for individuals younger in age. As a result, the probability of choosing DRT decreases with increasing strength of promotion focus for younger people. Implications for transport and health are discussed.