Mobility attitudes and urban form: shaping public transport and shared mobility choices in Dubai and Lahore

Urban mobility in the Global South presents unique challenges for public transport (PT) and emerging shared mobility (SM) services influenced by socio-economic factors, mobility attitudes, and urban form. This study examines the factors shaping mode choice behavior between PT and SM services in four communities each in Dubai and Lahore. Additionally, it analyses the impact of primary daily activities on PT and SM preferences in both cities. Data from 1,653 Dubai and 1,603 Lahore residents were analyzed using four binary logistic regression models. Results indicate that socio-demographic factors (age, gender, household car ownership, driver’s license possession, education level, and weekly commuting trips) and mobility attitudes (ride-sharing, ride-hailing, pro-personal car) significantly influence PT and SM choices. Key determinants vary by neighborhood type, including link-node ratio, intersection and road length density, and car and PT commute times. The influence of primary daily activities (work or study) on the choice of PT and SM modes was found to be moderate in Dubai. The study highlights the need for tailored urban and transport policies to promote sustainable modes, considering neighborhood characteristics and demographics.