APPLICATION OF A LOGIT MODEL TO IDENTIFY SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR DAILY TRIPS – A CASE STUDY BASED ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE GÓRNOŚLĄSKA-ZAGŁĘBIOWSKA METROPOLIS (POLAND)

The attractiveness of an offer is the main factor in determining the demand for public transport services, which goes beyond just the transportation itself and includes various accompanying aspects. Before starting their journey, many people confront the dilemma of choosing a mode of transportation. Often, this choice depends on individual habits. Individuals who possess a passenger vehicle cannot justify the advisability of using it instead of bike or public transportation. The primary objective of the present article was to determine the factors that impact the utilization of public transportation services while traveling. The research used data from surveys conducted among the inhabitants of the Górnośląska-Zagłębiowska Metropolis. During the modeling process, the authors used logit models, which have been used in different countries globally to show the behavior of public transport users, as shown in the literature review. However, the factors that impact the decision to use public transportation by the residents of the GórnośląskoZagłębiowska Metropolis remain unexamined. The current results suggest that the choice of a hypothetical travel scenario is mainly influenced by age, education, and employment status. However, no correlation with the gender of potential public transport users was found. Other variables not considered in this study may also impact public transport usage. Nevertheless, the findings lay the groundwork for more extensive, in-depth analyses incorporating a broader range of independent variables that could influence public transport use. The research results, when combined with the application of mobility management tools, could serve as a means to better shape the transport offerings. By enhancing the attractiveness of public transport, ticket revenue would likely increase, leading to an improved financial situation for the communes within the GórnośląskaZagłębiowska Metropolis. This would also align with the principles of sustainable transport development policy.