Study on an Intelligent Prediction Method of Ticket Price in a Subway System with Public-Private Partnership

The accurate and rapid prediction of ticket prices for a public-private partnership (PPP) subway system, which is an important research topic in the field of civil engineering management, is of critical importance to ensure its smooth operation. To effectively cope with the effects of multiple influencing factors and strong nonlinearity among them, the mean impact value (MIV) method and the back-propagation (BP) feed-forward neural network improved by the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) are used in this study to develop an intelligent prediction model. First, we considered the relationship of the supply and the subway system service, which is a typical quasi-public product, and analyzed the relevant factors affecting its price adjustment. Then, we developed an intelligent method for the prediction of ticket prices based on the SSA-BP. This model not only makes full use of the powerful nonlinear modeling ability of the BP algorithm, but also takes advantage of the strong optimization ability and fast convergence speed of the SSA. Finally, this study screened out the key input factors by adopting the MIV method to simplify the structure of the BP algorithm and achieve a high prediction accuracy. In this study, Beijing Subway Line 4, Wuhan Metro Line 2, and Chengdu Metro Line 1 were selected as case study sites. The results showed that the linear correlations between influencing factors and ticket price for the PPP subway system service were weak, which indicated the need for using nonlinear analysis methods such as the BP algorithm. Compared with other prediction methods (the price adjustment method based on PPP contract, the traditional BP algorithm, the BP neural network improved by the genetic algorithm, the BP algorithm improved by the particle swarm optimization, and the support vector machine), the model proposed in this paper showed better prediction accuracy and calculation stability.

The Role of Stadium Atmosphere and Ticket Prices on Soccer Fans' Behavioral Intentions: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The process of going to the soccer stadiums, is pointed as a leisure activity of society, for such, this phenomenon is responsible for providing profits to clubs since ticket sales is one of the main sources of revenue in soccer. Therefore, when enjoying the spectacle, the fan is likely to receive numerous stimuli due to the atmosphere found in soccer stadiums. Therefore, it is the clubs' mission to aim at pleasing their consumers, aiming at the acquisition of their products and services. Therefore, we find in the sports marketing literature the behavioral intentions, which provide information about the supporters' future intentions towards their club. However, there are still no indications that map the role of stadium atmosphere and ticket price on behavioral intentions, in the soccer field. Objective: To review the role of stadium atmosphere and ticket price on the behavioral intention of Soccer spectators. Methodology: This is a systematic review, following PRISMA protocol suggestions, using Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO host databases. We used a search model with descriptors for groups related to ticket prices and stadium atmosphere, plus a group related to behavioral intentions and soccer. Original studies published in English or Portuguese up to September 30, 2020, were considered; the year of publication was not restricted. Moreover, the studies that were unrelated to the theme and duplicated were removed. A total of 732 studies, with 02 being eligible for this review. Results: As investigated, the atmosphere of the stadiums is able to impact on behavioral intentions, being the positive experience corresponding to a higher content of return to the stadiums, however, the fan does not get their emotional needs met while the atmosphere prior, can direct the same to a negative significance in relation to behavioral intention. As for the ticket price, it had a positive significance when compared to behavioral intentions. Discussion: Focusing on this significance, the positive experiences and the price paid for tickets in an event can play an intentional repurchase behavior. It is worth noting the context in which the analysis is employed since the local culture can influence consumer perception regarding the desired experiences at the spectacle. Conclusion: The stadiums' atmosphere and the ticket prices structure themselves as a relevant factor in the behavioral intentions of soccer fans.

Flight Ticket Price Predicting With the Use of Machine Learning

As domestic air travel in India is becoming increasingly popular with different air ticket booking channels coming online these days, passengers are trying to understand how these airline companies make decisions over time about ticket prices. Therefore, many methods are ready to provide the proper time to do so. The customer who buys an air ticket by estimating the price of the airfare is recently proposed. The majority of these strategies make use of sophisticated Computational Intelligence Prediction Models an area of science known as Machine Learning (ML). This paper highlights the parameters and also includes the guidelines that are important for project work to be developed that is indicated above.

Sport Fans’ Price Sensitivity Based on Loyalty Levels: A Case of Korean Professional Baseball League

For the sustainable development of the Korean Professional Baseball League (a.k.a., KBO League), it is critical to propose profitable and efficient pricing strategies for each team in the KBO League. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand KBO League fans’ perceptions of price sensitivity. More specifically, this study explored how fans’ perceptions of price sensitivity and latitude of price acceptance vary between different loyalty groups. A total of 213 valid responses were recruited from KBO League fans by using a convenience sampling approach. As a result, based on the levels of attitudinal loyalty and behavioral loyalty, fans were classified into four categories: loyal fans, latent fans, spurious fans, and indifferent fans. Moreover, loyal fans were found to be less sensitive to the ticket price increase of different levels (i.e., 10%, 20%, and 30%), followed by latent fans, spurious fans, and indifferent fans. Meanwhile, loyal fans have the highest level of the latitude of price acceptance, followed by latent fans, spurious fan, and indifferent fans. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of sport fans’ responses to the change of ticket price and their perceptions of the accepted price range. Meanwhile, this study offers practical implications for marketers of KBO League teams to develop tailored pricing strategies for their fans by considering different loyalty levels.

Influence of Low-Cost Carrier Attributes towards Airline Choice Decision in Bandung-Surabaya Route

The number of Indonesian domestic passengers which increased rapidly has encouraged for the airlines to expand their market share by opening routes in the local region and one of the promising region is Bandung. In early 2019, the Low-Cost Carrier has implemented paid baggage policy. The changes of airline conditions and regulations could affect consumer purchasing decisions. The airline have to redesign its strategies and conduct a strategy adjusment to identify the consumer's needs and wants these days. Based on the problem description, this research aims to identify what significant attributes influence passenger's purchasing decision-making and determine what elastic and inelastic attributes. Data collection using an online questionnaire then spread to 235 respondents and were analyzed with Mixed Logit Model using BIOGEME software. The results shows that airline's departure time is a significant attribute towards passenger's airline choice. Ticket price also plays a key role in selecting an airline for passengers when the ticket price increases, Passenger will consider choosing other alternative airlines that are more affordable. The results could be used by an airline company to attract the passenger by improving its marketing strategy. Keywords: Low-cost carrier, airline choice, airline attribute, mixed logit, demand elasticities

Captain Seat: Smart Solution for Physical Distancing on Buses During the Covid-19 Pandemic

It has been a year after the announcement of Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan. Activity restriction, implementation of health protocol, and lock-down are enforced to cut-off the spread of this virus. However, in the uncertainty towards a new normal, the mobility of people continues for various purposes. A rapid medical check-up at the airport or at railway stations is possible by the local authorities but it is impossible for public bus passengers due to the limitations of medical staff and a large number of bus stations. Most passengers also failed to comply with the government's recommendation to conduct a rapid test before using public buses. As anticipation, the Transportation Agency issued a regulation that all buses can only be filled with 50% (max) of their normal capacity by emptying 2 of the 4 seats in a row. As a consequence, a 32-seat bus can only be filled with 16 passengers (max) and the ticket price has doubled to cover operational costs. However, passenger interest in bus services has decreased due to high ticket prices. Therefore, this short article reports the smart actions of several bus companies in Indonesia to create a "Captain Seat", a 1-1-1 bus seat configuration to ensure physical distancing between passengers. With the captain seat model, buses with 32 seats are modified to 24 seats, the ideal distance between passengers during a pandemic can be maintained, the risk of loss to bus companies can be reduced, and passenger costs can be lowered.

Do Ambient Conditions (Air Quality, Noise Level and Temperature) and Image Congruity Matter for Boosting Customer Approach Behaviors in the FSC Sector?

The present research presented a conceptual framework by uncovering the apparent role of ambient condition quality (in-flight air, noise level, and temperature), image congruity, love, respect, and perceived ticket price in increasing customer approach behaviors in the full service carrier (FSC) industry. A quantitative method was used. The evaluation of the measurement model verified the quality of construct measures. Findings from statistical analyses demonstrated the significant associations among research variables, and identified the mediating nature of FSC love and FSC respect. In addition, the important moderating effect of perceived FSC ticket price was found. A prominent role of ambient condition quality in eliciting approach behaviors was also explored. Overall, our theoretical framework contained a prediction power for approach behaviors. The research findings thus assist FSC researchers and practitioners to better understand the process of generating the customer decision-making process and behaviors that are positive for full service carriers. This research hence successfully fulfilled its objective to discover the influences of the customer approach behaviors in the full service carrier (FSC) industry.

Exploring Influencing Factors of Passenger Satisfaction toward Bus Transit in Small-Medium City in China

This paper aims to explore the factors influencing passengers’ satisfaction toward bus transit and develop the improvement strategy for the small-medium city. Data including individual attributes, travel activity attributes, and perceived service attributes were collected in the city of Weinan, China. The ordered logit (OL) model and ordered Probit (OP) model were employed to explore the significant factors associated with passengers’ satisfaction toward bus transit. The odds ratio (OR) was applied to quantitatively measure the effects of the significant factors. Improving strategies of bus transit service were proposed based on the model results using the three-factor theory. Results show that the OL model outperforms the OP model. The age, daily average waiting time, perceived waiting time, transferring convenience, the attitude of the driver, intelligent travel information service, hygienic environment inside the bus, ticket price, bus route setting, and bus stop setting significantly affect the passengers’ satisfaction. Among them, the ticket price, perceived waiting time, bus stop setting, intelligent travel information service, transferring convenience, and bus route setting were identified as exciting factors. It is recommended that optimization of bus route and bus stop setting, building bus dedicated lanes, optimizing dynamic charging system, and providing intelligent travel information service could be effective strategies to improve passengers’ satisfaction toward bus transit in Chinese small-medium cities.

The Usage of Public Transport and Impact of Satisfaction in the European Union

The main objective of this paper was to analyse comprehensively the urban public transport usage, satisfaction levels and the satisfaction impact on usage of public transport in European Union (EU) countries. Results revealed that the usage of urban public transport in all EU countries is rather low and significantly depends on economic development level. The satisfaction levels measured as comfort and safety, ticket price, frequency and reliability and amenities at stops and stations significantly differed among EU countries as well. In a half of the EU countries, the satisfaction with ticket price and the time to the station had significant impacts on usage of urban public transport. Meanwhile, the satisfaction with reliability, public transport frequency and comfort and safety had significantly influenced urban public transport usage only in one-third of EU countries. In the majority of EU countries, women and older respondents more often tended to use urban public transport. Next to improvement of public transport service, a variety of policy measures should be applied, from awareness rising and image improvement to the review of pricing policies both of public transport and of parking fees.

Study of a Relationship between the Criteria for Selection of the Transport Technology for the Passengers Carriage using the Dematel Method

This study defines criteria and sub-criteria for evaluation of the transport technology for carriage of passengers by railway and road transport. The main criteria are divided into four groups: business, environmental, social and technological, named BEST analysis. Twenty-four sub-criteria have been examined. The method of multi-criteria analysis Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) has been applied to analyse importance and the relations between the criteria. Results show that e criteria of the great importance are business group (29.47%) and technological group (27.49%). The sub-criteria: transport costs for fuel (7.83%); ticket price (8.29%); time travel (6.99%); directness (6.47%) and direct operating costs (6.30%) are the most important. The defined criteria and subcriteria can be applied for evaluation, comparison and selection the transportation variant.