Understanding changes in perceptions and behaviour of train passengers during the Covid 19 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract Transportation is considered as one important area that contribute to energy emission. The transportation sector accounts for 15% of total GHG emissions and 23% of CO 2 emissions, of which 30% of CO 2 comes from burning fossil fuels. Government policies in the context of preventing the spread of Covid 19 and enforcement of restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM), have provided benefits for the environment in terms of reducing air pollution by up to 42% (liputan6.com). The Covid 19 pandemic has an impact on the public transportation business, based on sales data from PT KAI (Persero) that there was a decrease in the number of longdistance train passengers using rail transportation services, namely in April 2019 there were 3,879,792 passengers while in April 2020 it fell to 286 268 passengers. This research aims at understanding the risk perception that affects the planned attitudes and behaviour of potential passengers to travel by train during the pandemic. 368 samples were collected from Operation Area 1 to Operation Area 9. Employing SEM analysis with the SmartPLS, the result shows that the customers intend to continue traveling using railway public services. However, a certain level of anxiety and perceived risk grows due to a lack of information. namely, uncertainty whether the use of public transportation may bear the potential for covid 19 transmissions. Hence the government’s actions in dealing with the pandemic could reassure the customers to continue using the railway services.