University Students' Perceptions of the Relationship Between Bus Pass Ownership and Physical Activity Levels

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between university students': (a) perceptions of having a discounted bus pass and transit-related physical activity; (b) perceptions of having a discounted bus pass and weekly physical activity levels; and (c) transit-related physical activity and weekly physical activity levels. A sample of 545 undergraduate students completed an online survey. The analysis of three correlations and three t-tests illustrated significant relationships between students' perceptions of the discounted bus pass and their transit-related physical activity, and males' and females' weekly physical activity levels. Three major themes emerged from the open-ended responses, which included the discounted bus pass:(a) is a facilitator of physical activity; (b) is a barrier to physical activity; and (c) does not influence physical activity levels. Therefore, the results suggest that university students who are provided with discounted bus passes may have increased physical activity during their commutes by transit.