The benefits of digital travel information for informal transport: Insights from app users in Cochabamba, Bolivia

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the impact of a multimodal journey-planning app on users of informal public transport systems in Cochabamba, Bolivia. We analyze survey data (N=648) collected through the Trufi Association NGO's digital travel app on changes in mobility behavior, satisfaction, and everyday life improvements. Participants report more frequent use of informal transport (49.7%) and an improvement in their everyday lives (75.9%) since using the digital travel information app. A high level of satisfaction with the Trufi Association app is found in the entire sample (85.5%). Using ordinal logistic regressions and non-parametric mean tests, it is mainly young people and women who benefit most from the availability of digital information. We observe that the main motivation for using informal transport in Cochabamba is its low cost, access to locations, and the lack of alternatives. Overall, this study highlights the importance of developing journey-planning apps for informal transport systems in the Global South, offering insights into subsequent satisfaction and improvements in daily life.