Which sociodemographic and behavioural factors are associated with transport-related digital purchases? Application to the case of Spain

The digitalisation of transport services has progressed rapidly across Europe, yet not all individuals engage equally with new technologies. These differences reflect persistent forms of digital divide, where disparities in digital skills, online practices and socioeconomic conditions influence individuals’ ability to access and benefit from digital mobility services. Although a growing body of literature has explored digital technologies applied to mobility, most studies focus on access to information or the adoption of transport-related apps, without isolating purchasing behaviour as an independent variable. This study addresses that gap by studying the factors associated with engagement in transport-related digital purchases in Spain. Using microdata from the 2022 Eurostat Survey on the use of Information and Communication Technology in households and by individuals, a Generalised Structural Equation Modelling approach is applied, incorporating two latent behavioural constructs (personal internet use and learning-oriented internet use) alongside observed sociodemographic variables. The results show that personal internet use is the variable most strongly associated with transport-related digital purchases, followed by learning-oriented internet use. Sociodemographic characteristics such as income, age, education, employment status and place of residence are also significantly associated with this behaviour. These findings highlight how different dimensions of the digital divide, such as skills, usage patterns and socioeconomic resources, shape individuals’ ability to engage with digital mobility services. The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the digital and social factors associated with this behaviour, offering implications for the design of inclusive and targeted digital mobility policies.