This paper discusses the present methods for research in public transport. Most research uses interview techniques. It is concluded that the present method of interviewing is very extensive, and much of the collected data are not used, because they are impractical to use. For regional public transport, three aspects are important: (1) on which relationships is the demand for public transport based; (2) how big is the demand for public transport; and (3) what is the intention of the potential user? The answer on the first two aspects can usually be given with recent data, supplied with desk research. Demand data can be collected with small and specific interviews. But answering the third aspect is more difficult, because measuring the users' intention is very difficult.
Abstract