Abstract The service experience, which comprises cognitive, emotional and sensory assessments, is important to encourage a modal shift from the private vehicle to public transport services use. However, knowledge on the effect of sensory cues, specifically ambient scent, on the consumer experience in olfactory-rich servicescapes, as public transport services, is still limited. This study conducted a field experiment within a public bus service, to explore the influence of ambient scent on the relationship between the perceived travel experience and emotions; and between emotions and travel memory, the attitude toward the company's brand and passengers' future behavioral intentions. The results show that ambient scent strengthens these relationships. The stronger influences of ambient scent were found on the relationships between travel experience and emotions, emotions and memory, and emotions and passengers' future behavioral intentions. While adding to the scant knowledge on the topic, the results also suggest that ambient scent, as a marketing tool, should be looked at with closer attention by public transport managers.

    Highlights The perceived public transport bus travel experience impacts customers' emotions. Emotions influence memories, attitudes toward the provider's brand and intentions. These relationships are significantly strengthened by the ambient scent.


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    Title :

    The influence of ambient scent on the passengers’ experience, emotions and behavioral intentions: An experimental study in a Public Bus service


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Transport Policy ; 106 ; 88-98


    Publication date :

    2021-03-29


    Size :

    11 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English