Somar Digital received $155,700 from Hoe ki angitū, the NZTA Innovation Fund, to develop and deliver the ‘Total Cost of Journey Calculator’ on Metlink, Wellington’s public transport website and mobile app.
This project was in response to the round one challenge - Integrating low emission first and last mile travel solutions.
The aim of the project was to encourage more users to take public transport by providing additional information about the cost of using their private vehicle, at the time that they are planning their travel. The calculator compares the cost of taking public transport with the cost of using a private vehicle and includes the hidden costs of using a car such as insurance and maintenance.
In its first five months, the ‘Total Cost of Journey Calculator’ was used by almost 11% of all Metlink users, comparing approximately 170 cost calculations per day. A majority of users found the tool useful, although the number of users who had changed their mode of travel was not able to be ascertained. Somar had intended to include a question in the Metlink customer survey about changed travel intentions after using the calculator, but the customer survey timing did not end up matching the timing of the trial.
An alternative approach is being planned, to include a survey question in the calculator.
In terms of accuracy, reliable information for some costs was difficult to obtain, and in some cases Somar Digital had to make some assumptions and calculate averages to factor in real-world variations and unknown external circumstances.
Somar Digital will continue to make improvements to the Metlink calculator and undertake marketing and other promotional activity to increase usage. Later in 2024 Somar will arrange a survey through Metlink or the tool itself to seek feedback on whether the tool had an impact on mode shift. We will share the results with Waka Kotahi.
Additionally, Somar is engaging with other public transport authorities and organisations in the energy sector to consider how the calculator could be applied in other settings.
View the executive summary here:
| Hunter, S (2024). Total Cost of Journey Calculator [PDF, 195 KB]. Executive summary. Somar Digital. |
