Cost theme
Cost was raised in relation to previous travel experiences, as an issue involved in the current travel decision making process, and in relation to how much costs might be to use a new high speed rail system. All 17 respondents mentioned fares as an issue involved in travel decisions, and in most instances linked the cost with mode choice. Eight respondents specifically referred to costs of rail travel in Britain as being too expensive, and there was debate as to whether rail or air fares were most expensive. Further comments included whether high speed rail was affordable in the current economic climate, but this issue may be transient and change in improved economic conditions. Six participants demonstrated characteristics of ‘slow motion behaviour’ (Nijkamp and Baaijens, 1999) considering making slower journeys to reduce costs. This links cost to the travel time issue of the service attributes theme. Highlighting the importance of costs and concerns about high fares may also be indicative of low Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC). Focus group participants may perceive long- distance travel to be expensive, and may feel that they lack choice and are forced to choose based on not having the resources. However, the focus groups did not measure income or occupation, and determining this effect is difficult.
Convenience theme
Convenience relates to practical issues with making a journey, and these were generally time issues such as waiting time, duration of the journey and the time of day. 12 respondents mentioned total journey duration as an important issue including concerns of how the journey would fit into the day. 11 respondents indicated that they perceived a ‘long distance journey’ in terms of time rather than distance. A further item here was accessibility, where 11 respondents mentioned access and egress to be a major issue when making long journeys. The ability to carry luggage with fewer restrictions (e.g. weight limits and liquids regulations) was mentioned by seven respondents as a key issue in favour of non-air transport modes. Despite luggage carriage on trains being easier there were concerns about luggage security, which links to luggage security in the security theme. Interchanges was mentioned by seven participants in relation to a preference for more direct journeys, especially where these changes involved heavy luggage or changing platforms at unfamiliar stations. Again, it is possible that this links
90
to PBC, as the challenges of interchange and carrying luggage were considered greatest by older female focus group members. A perceived inability to deal easily with carrying luggage and making interchanges, may force travel-choices to be made that minimise these factors. For example, being influenced towards car travel due to perceived difficulty in making a public transport interchange, or choosing direct services due to a perceived interchange difficulty. In the flexibility issue, four respondents favoured car travel due to the flexibility in choice of departure time and routing. Three participants wished to minimise waiting time, while one enjoyed the waiting time if there was a comfortable pub near the station. Time of day was mentioned by seven participants, with issues such as early departure times being considered an inconvenience.
Service Attribute theme
Service attributes comprised issues relating to the characteristics of the transport service provided. Travel time (12 respondents) was the issue mentioned by the highest number of participants in this theme - this is exclusive of waiting or transfer times which were classified under the ‘total journey duration’. Current travel times were generally considered to be acceptable; however savings were welcomed, especially on slow routes. Acceptable travel times links to the cost versus time trade-off involved in ‘Slow Motion Behaviour’, where participants might remain on existing rail services if they are cheaper than the faster alternatives. Ability to be productive whilst travelling was mentioned by 10 respondents as an important issue when making long distance journeys, particularly as an advantage of rail travel. Comfort (nine respondents) was important, particularly in relation to the availability of seats on busy train services. The comfort item was linked to overcrowding by eight respondents, relating to rail travel, and had considerable impacts on comfort. The threshold at which the level of crowding had an effect on comfort was not raised specifically. Reliability of service was mentioned by six participants. There appeared to be a relationship between the importance of reliability and the occupation of the participant; those that were not in full-time employment did not consider reliability an important issue. Service frequency was mentioned by three respondents and links to the four respondents mentioning waiting time as an important issue, as an infrequent service extends the potential waiting time.
Security theme
Seven respondents considered personal security an issue when travelling by rail, mainly in relation to anti-social behaviour and occupation of a respondent’s reserved seat.
91
Several respondents mentioned the lack of a visible staff presence as an issue. This was not mentioned in reference to air, possibly due to the more visible presence of aircrew on flights. Luggage security was an issue for four respondents in terms of being able to ‘keep an eye’ on luggage while travelling. Concerns about the potential for terrorism by not having a check-in procedure for baggage were also expressed. However, this contrasts with indications that more relaxed baggage rules for train travel are an advantage over aviation. Security fears may influence individuals’ transport choices where they do not feel in control of their personal safety (e.g. travelling with others). This may discourage public transport use, and favour environments with a greater degree of control (e.g. a car).
Environment theme (removed)
The environment was mentioned by only four participants, on one occasion each. Of those, two respondents did not know whether high speed rail was better or worse for the environment than other forms of transport. Two respondents stated that they would not pay to offset any environmental impacts of their air travel, commenting that they had already paid for their flight and that they considered fares to be already too high. As a controversial issue, those placing great importance on social norms would be unlikely to have made such comments. However, two participants felt the same way regarding the environment-versus-cost trade-off. Social norms (more likely to be pro-environmental than cost focused) may be considered less important when views are shared. Some focus group participants knew each other, which may mean they felt more comfortable expressing views compared to within a group of strangers. Focus Groups can exacerbate social norms, as it may be felt that controversial views cannot be expressed freely in the presence of others. This limitation is present for interviews, though anonymous data collection can overcome this.
No focus group participants lived in areas affected by the construction of HS2. The focus groups did not demonstrate altruistic behaviour, as no negative personal HS2 impacts were likely - NIMBYism was not present for the same reason. Hostility towards HS2 was low in the focus groups, though in areas adjacent to the proposed route, focus groups may have felt differently.
92