Factors affecting the intention of using the metro Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien line for students in Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

The primary objective of this case study is to investigate intentions to use the Metro line Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien with the main subject is university students in Ho Chi Minh City. In hindsight, the study examined the difference between two groups: Students from universities near the Metro line (concentrated at Suoi Tien station and nearby - Thu Duc city) and students from UEH University. There are prior studies related to this case. However, the importance of this study is to re-evaluate and learn more about the behaviour intentions of students to use the Metro in today’s contexts. This study has highlighted 5 major factors in affecting intentions to use the Metro as well as proposed and levelled 5 hypotheses. The development of urban transport is reported to have the most negative effect on the intentions to use the Metro due to limited stations. The Metro utilities have not been deployed yet to encourage commuters. Besides, there are several environmental protection trends raising people awareness about the importance of using the Metro in today’s world. Environmental awareness has positive effects as people are more conscious in protecting the environment through reducing emissions and noises. In terms of perceived usefulness, it also has positive impacts on experiencing the Metro in the future as people in Ho Chi Minh City. The results have indicated that people are less desired to use the Metro due to vulnerability to risks of taking trains, so risk perception has negative effects on the intentions to use the Metro. Lastly, private vehicles is reported to negatively affect the intentions to use the Metro line as the choice of transport depends on the actual situations of the commuters. In other words, trains sometimes cannot meet the demand of commuters in spontaneous or emergency circumstances. In terms of policy, it is crucial to exploit the full capacity of the routes optimally to shift urban traffic trends. Furthermore, environmental education and public transports information (in this case - the Metro) should be provided for better understanding and assure people’s intentions to use the Metro. The government should develop policies to reduce traffic density and synchronize urban transport infrastructure development. The proposed policies aim to serve the operation of Metro Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien in the near future.