Examining university students’ preferences toward MaaS aspects

• A framework of factors related to MaaS aspects is presented. • The relationship between demographic factors and MaaS aspects clusters is revealed. • High income male users indicate a higher interest in advanced aspects of MaaS. • Females are more interested in using ticket machines and cash payment for the trip. The main idea of Mobility as a Service, called MaaS, is to integrate various transport modes and services into one application. Although numerous studies investigate MaaS, there is only few research available on user preferences toward specific aspects. Therefore, current study presents a framework of variables associated with the aspects of MaaS from university students’ perspectives. The method of structural equation modeling is performed to reveal some connections between aspects of MaaS, socio-demographics, and attitudinal latent variables, where the users are clustered based on demographic factors and preferences. The relationship between the clusters is revealed by using multinomial logistic regression, and the preferences toward the MaaS aspects are clustered traditional and advanced aspects. The results show that employed students and persons having high incomes are more attracted to use MaaS, while female students are more inclined to pay for the trip by using ticket machines and cash. The relationship between the clusters indicates that male students coming from higher-income households show a higher interest in advanced aspects compared to low-income female students. This research can support planners and operators in the field of transportation in terms of providing more personalized design of MaaS applications.