Traveler perceived service quality and satisfaction with public transport: The influence of digital competence and environmental attitudes

As public transport is becoming more reliant on digitalizing services, by for example using apps to sell tickets and provide information, it is important for policy to study how this influences customer perceived service quality and satisfaction. In addition, as public transport is viewed as a more environmentally benign form of transportation it also becomes important to monitor how environmental attitudes influence traveler satisfaction. Using the theoretical underpinnings of utilitarian and experience quality we surveyed 4200 public transport travelers in Sweden focusing on digital competence and environmental attitudes. Using structural equation modelling we find that both digital competence and environmental attitudes influence perceived quality and customer satisfaction so that travelers who 1) are able to deal with digital tools like smart-phone applications in public transport, and 2) have strong environmental attitudes, perceive the quality of the public transport service to be better. We suggest that policymakers could increase public transport ridership and quality perceptions by more clearly communicating the environmental benefits of public transport and educate travelers on the digital tools they provide to help provide their services. • A large survey was sent out to over 5000 Swedish travelers. • Results indicate that both experience quality and utilitarian quality are important to satisfaction with public transport. • As digitalization of public transport increases, competence regarding digital tools is becoming important for travelers. • Travelers that perceive public transport to be less environmentally harmful perceive it to be of higher quality.