En minut hit eller dit: Fördjupad förståelse av restidens betydelse i kollektivtrafiken

This study examines how travel time is perceived and utilised by public transport passengers. Through a survey of just over a thousand respondents and discussions in a focus group, several interesting insights emerge.
The mobile phone has become the most used device on board, while traditional media such as books and newspapers have decreased in prevalence. Common activities during the journey include scrolling on the phone, listening to music, and reflecting on personal matters. However, many passengers experience obstacles such as crowding and disturbances from fellow passengers, which affect their ability to use their travel time as desired.
More than half of the passengers consider travel time to be valuable, especially those who use the time for work or study. At the same time, fewer people work or study on board compared to before. Many passengers prefer a travel time of 10–30 minutes, but there are also those who prefer longer travel times to be able to use the time more productively. The possibility of remote work influences the perception of travel time, where many are willing to accept longer travel time to work. However, when they do travel, those who can work remotely are just as keen on shorter travel times as others.
A central aspect that emerges in the focus group discussions is the perceived speed, the feeling that the journey flows smoothly. Many passengers prefer express buses and similar services, even if the time savings are minimal. It is not necessarily the actual travel time that is crucial, but rather the feeling of arriving quickly and smoothly. Avoiding disruptions such as getting stuck in traffic or stopping at many stations contributes to a perceived speed that can be more important than the actual time savings in minutes and seconds.