Investigating the effects of ridesourcing on the dynamics of household car ownership

Car ownership influences car use, but the emergence of ridesourcing has reshaped this dynamic. The emergence of ridesourcing presents a dual possibility regarding car ownership: it can reduce the need for private car ownership by providing a viable alternative, or it can encourage car ownership by providing an opportunity to earn extra income through ridesourcing. Using the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study dataset from 2009 to 2019, this study examines how ridesourcing affects the changes in household car ownership. After controlling for various factors, our results suggest that households are less likely to acquire a car in the presence of ridesourcing while car disposal decisions are mainly driven by household composition and residential relocation factors. We also examine the heterogeneous effects that vary by different numbers of household cars and residential areas. Our results can inform transport authorities and policymakers when planning a sustainable transport system with reduced car dependency.