Quantifying the economic value of reservation deadlines in demand-responsive transport

In recent years, demand-responsive transport (DRT) has emerged as an alternative to conventional fixed-route bus services in various regions. DRT typically necessitates advance reservation, where earlier reservation deadlines can diminish its convenience. This study evaluates the impact of such deadlines on user convenience. Two stated-choice surveys are conducted: one comparing DRT with fixed-route buses and the other comparing two DRT services with differing reservation deadlines. The findings reveal that the valuation coefficients for deadlines are approximately 0.8-1.0 and 0.6-0.7 times those for riding and walking time, respectively. The willingness to pay (WTP) is estimated to be between 230 and 300 JPY. Furthermore, the study observes that the adverse effects of early deadlines are reduced in scenarios involving predetermined travel plans, such as attending a scheduled hospital appointment.