Individuals’ Attitudes Toward Public Transit in a Rural Transit District

During a period of high gasoline prices and in the absence of alternative means of transportation, commuters in rural areas in the United States are incurring higher transportation costs than their urban counterparts. Due to an inadequate investigation of rural commuters’ preferences, this exploratory research is an attempt to understand whether individuals would be willing to use public transit if it were to be provided and what the factors are that influence their decision. Analysis of survey data suggests commuters’ preference for public transit service in a rural transit district, and its sustenance requires a focus on those service attributes that individuals value most.