Modeling motorcycles dependency for commuting among low-income communities in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: The perspective of the theory of planned behavior

Abstract

The high degree of reliance on motorcycles for daily commuting in low-income communities of the Special Region of Yogyakarta has emerged as a pressing transportation issue, stemming from economic disparities that have led many low-income individuals to experience transport or mobility poverty, further constricting their overall mobility. This reliance on motorcycles as the predominant mode of transport demands attention, as it conflicts with the principles of sustainable mobility. The present study collected survey data from 430 respondents in order to explore this phenomenon. The study then examined socioeconomic conditions, mobility patterns, and behavioral factors among the respondents using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework, with the structural equation model (SEM) serving as the analytical tool. The findings of the study reveal that cost savings, time efficiency, and societal factors exert a significant influence on the high reliance of low-income communities on motorcycle use. These findings underscore the practicality and affordability of motorcycles, which, in the absence of viable alternatives, become the primary mode of daily commuting.