Participant Profile & Context

• Background: Lived in London previously; now living in Belfast.
• Transport exposure: High-frequency public transport user in London (Tube-heavy), low-frequency user in Belfast.
• Current travel habits: Primarily drives or walks in Belfast; uses buses occasionally for city trips.

This participant offers a strong comparative perspective between a mature, high-frequency transport system (London) and a lower-frequency, less ingrained one (Belfast).

Key Themes & Insights

1. Public Transport as “Default” vs “Optional”

• London:
  • Public transport was essential and ingrained.
  • No car ownership → Tube was the obvious default.
  • Transport use required little conscious planning.
• Belfast:
  • Public transport feels optional rather than embedded.
  • Driving, lifts, or walking are often easier.
  • Public transport is not mentally “top of mind”.

Insight:

Frequency, density, and cultural normalisation play a major role in whether public transport becomes habitual.

2. Frequency & Reliability as a Core Differentiator

• London’s Tube:
  • Very high frequency (“if you’re waiting more than 5 minutes, it feels long”).
  • Enables spontaneous travel without planning.
• Belfast:
  • Services (especially night buses) still require advance planning.
  • Lower frequency discourages casual or spontaneous use.

Insight:

High-frequency services reduce cognitive load and eliminate the need for planning—this is perceived as a major quality marker.

3. App & Digital Experience Issues (Translink)