Evaluating the impact of sociodemographic factors on rideshare use in the U.S.

• Younger individuals (16–25) use ridesharing services more frequently. • Black or African Americans and higher-income individuals use ridesharing more. • Ridesharing use declines in rural areas and multi-car households. • Expanding ridesharing in rural areas improves equitable access. • Improving accessibility for older adults enhances transportation equity. Understanding ridesharing users’ demographics and travel behavior is crucial for shaping transportation policies and urban planning strategies. This study utilizes data from the NHTS 2022 to explore the characteristics of ridesharing users in the U.S. by employing an ordered logit model. The objective is to identify key predictors of rideshare frequency and assess disparities in access based on age, race, education, income, vehicle access, employment status, and public transit use. The results show that ridesharing services are used more frequently by younger people, especially those between the ages of 16 and 25, and that usage of these services declines sharply with age. Black or African Americans, as well as those with higher incomes and educational levels, are more likely to use ridesharing services. Ridesharing is substantially reduced when one resides in a rural location and has multiple cars and drivers in the household. These findings emphasize the necessity of focused policies that enhance rural communities’ transportation options and encourage fair access to ridesharing services. The finding suggests that gender-based preferences for rideshare services are relatively balanced, indicating that males and females have similar tendencies to use these services. The effects of economic considerations on ridesharing usage should be investigated further in future studies. These findings emphasize equity concerns, particularly regarding income and geographic disparities in access to ridesharing. Policy interventions, such as fare subsidies for low-income users and improved rideshare-public transit integration, may help promote more equitable mobility options.