The impact of shared mobility on metro ridership: The non-linear effects of bike-sharing and ride-hailing services

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between the emerging shared mobility and the metro is essential for their successful integration. Although several studies have examined specific shared mobility modes individually, the differences between these modes in terms of integration with the metro system have largely been neglected. We address this research gap by investigating the impact of bike-sharing and ride-hailing on metro ridership, using a comprehensive dataset collected in Shenzhen. We also conduct a comparative analysis of these two shared mobility modes based on temporal and spatial dimensions and proximity to job centers. Our results are as follows. 1) Metro-integrated bike-sharing trips are most highly concentrated in commuting hours, primarily near downtown stations, and in areas with easy access to the metro system, while metro-integrated ride-hailing trips demonstrate a more even distribution between morning and evening and are more closely associated with job centers, especially those with inadequate metro service coverage. 2) Compared with bike-sharing, ride-hailing is a more effective shared mobility mode for addressing the “first- and last-mile” issue at night and at stations located far from job centers, but bike-sharing is more complementary to the metro system during peak hours and near downtown stations. 3) The complementary effects of shared mobility are only identified within a certain range. Once the number of shared mobility arrivals exceeds a certain threshold, the effects of bike-sharing become limited and those of ride-hailing shift toward negative. Based on our findings, we provide policy recommendations for better integration of shared mobility services with the metro.