Exploring Commuter’s Preferences and Future Intentions to Use Ride‐Sharing: A Case Study From a Developing Country

This study investigates transportation choices with a specific focus on ride‐sharing practices. The main aim of the study was to understand the current modes of transport, the primary reasons for choosing them, ride‐sharing experiences, and future ride‐sharing intentions within the context of Islamabad, Pakistan. The final analyses were based on 294 respondents, including 88 respondents with prior ride‐sharing experience. The sample was skewed toward male participants (80.6%), reflecting national mobility patterns. Logistic regression was employed to investigate the relationship between different factors toward individuals’ intentions to use ride‐sharing as a future commuting option. The results indicate that gender, previous ride‐sharing experience, preferences for companionship during ride‐sharing, and the primary mode of transportation for shopping emerged as significant factors influencing future ride‐sharing intentions. Males are nearly three times more likely to adopt ride‐sharing (Exp ( β ) = 2.9) than females ( β = 1.07, p < 0.01). Similarly, individuals with previous ride‐sharing experience ( β = 0.94, p < 0.01) have a 2.6 times higher likelihood of choosing ride‐sharing in the future. Moreover, respondents preferring larger groups while ride‐sharing exhibit higher adoption intentions ( β = 0.26, p = 0.02, Exp ( β ) = 1.3). In contrast, individuals primarily using motorcycles ( β = −1.53, p = 0.02, Exp ( β ) = 0.2) or personal cars ( β = −1.72, p = 0.01, Exp ( β ) = 0.2) for shopping are less inclined to shift toward ride‐sharing. The model achieves a Nagelkerke pseudo R 2 of 0.23, explaining 23% of the variance in future ride‐sharing intentions. This research yields valuable insights that could guide initiatives aimed at fostering ride‐sharing adoption and encouraging individuals to utilize this mode of transportation.