Exploring how perceptive differences impact the current public transport usage and support for future public transport extension and usage: A case study of Melbourne's tramline extension

Although users' perceptions on public transport have been long identified by researchers as important factors in travel mode choice, limited studies exist to examine the impact of perceptions on support for future public transport extension and subsequent usage. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the effect of perceived experience of public transport use on users’ support for the future extension and usage of public transport services. An analysis of survey data on users’ perceptions of current public transport usage and support for a future tramline extension and usage in Melbourne, Australia, shows that expected tramline extension usage frequency is significantly related to whether users support the extension. The modal shift after the tramline extension will most likely come from current train and bus users. Further, it was observed that factors such as travel time to weekly activity, travel costs to weekly activity, mode of nearest public transport to home, walk time to nearest public transport, the existence of a tramline in the suburb and feelings of safety on trams need to be given due consideration when planning for extension of tramlines. The findings from our study are valuable resources for planners and decision makers involved in investment in public transport services.