Psychosocial, behavioural, health, and productivity-related factors associated with public transport use and walking for transport among infrequent bus users in a regional area

Background and aims Public transport (PT) users are typically more physically active compared with private vehicle users. This study aimed to determine the variables associated with objectively measured PT use and self-reported walking for transport among infrequent bus users in a regional area of Australia. Methods Analysis of cross-sectional baseline data of 109 infrequent bus users (defined as making an average of ≤ 2 bus trips per week over the past 6 months) in the Tasmanian Trips4Health study. Walking for transport (minutes/week), psychosocial, behavioural, health, and productivity measures were self-reported via questionnaire. Bus use was objectively measured via smartcard (average bus use/week). Multivariable linear regression assessed associations with bus use and walking for transport. Results Participants reporting greater self-efficacy (β = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.00, 0.87), family support for using public transport by catching the bus with them (β = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.57) and planned daily travel (β = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.50, 1.22), demonstrated higher weekly bus use. Higher self-reported physical quality-of-life (β = −1.13; 95% CI = −1.86, −0.39) and being a woman (β = −0.54; 95% CI = −1.05, −0.02) were associated with lower weekly bus use. Moderate self-perceived general health was positively associated with walking for transport (β = 150.08; 95% CI = 13.84, 286.31) compared to poor/fair self-perceived health. Participants with regular access to a motor vehicle (β = −181.0; 95% CI = −272.0, −89.92) walked less for transport than those without motor vehicle access. Conclusions Individual and social variables are associated with adults’ PT use and walking for transport. Strategies to enhance PT use and walking for transport should consider self-efficacy, family support, skills to plan PT use, and gender in their design.