WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR DEMAND RESPONSIVE TRANSPORT IN EAST SLOVAKIAN RURAL AREAS

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of implementing a demand responsive transport system in the Košice and Prešov regions of East Slovakia. This was achieved through a willingness-to-pay survey conducted in six villages in the target regions. Two separate models were constructed based on the survey results to estimate the residents’ willingness to pay for trips to the nearest major city or the regional capital. The study revealed that the average willingness to pay for trips to the nearest LAU 1 (NUTS 4) administrative center was €0.86 per kilometer, while for trips to NUTS 3 administrative centers, it was €0.38 per kilometer. These findings suggest that demand responsive transport may be more suitable for shorter local journeys than for longer journeys. The study also identified several variables that affect the willingness to pay, such as the frequency and quality of the existing bus transit system and the use of other modes of transport. Additionally, this study highlights the potential benefit of demand responsive transport for residents with mobility impairments or those who travel alone.