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The Value of Time: Evidence from Auctioned Cab Rides
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The Value of Time: Evidence from Auctioned Cab Rides

Author

Listed:
  • Nicholas Buchholz

    (Princeton University)

  • Laura Doval

    (Columbia University)

  • Jakub Kastl

    (Princeton University)

  • Filip Matejka

    (CERGE-EI)

  • Tobias Salz

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

We recover valuations of time using detailed data from a large ride-hail platform, where drivers bid on trips and consumers choose between a set of rides with different prices and waiting times. Leveraging a consumer panel, we estimate demand as a function of both prices and waiting times and use the resulting estimates to recover heterogeneity in the value of time at the individual level. We study the welfare implications of platform pricing policies that take advantage of this heterogeneity. In particular, we compare the consumers’, drivers’, and platform’s welfare under different forms of price discrimination. Taking into account drivers’ optimal reaction to the platform’s pricing policy, total surplus falls by 6% under personalized pricing relative to the current mechanism. However, total surplus grows by 33% compared to the case in which the platform does not incorporate consumer information into its pricing.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas Buchholz & Laura Doval & Jakub Kastl & Filip Matejka & Tobias Salz, 2022. "The Value of Time: Evidence from Auctioned Cab Rides," Working Papers 2022-22, Princeton University. Economics Department..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:econom:2022-22
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    Cited by:

    1. Boffa, Federico & Fedele, Alessandro & Iozzi, Alberto, 2023. "Congestion and incentives in the age of driverless fleets," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    2. Bruno Jullien & Alessandro Pavan & Marc Rysman, 2021. "Two-sided markets, pricing, and network effects," Post-Print hal-03828345, HAL.
    3. Tarduno, Matthew, 2021. "The congestion costs of Uber and Lyft," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    4. Kastl, Jakub & Buchholz, Nicholas & Doval, Laura & Matějka, Filip & Salz, Tobias, 2020. "The Value of Time: Evidence From Auctioned Cab Rides," CEPR Discussion Papers 14666, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Krekel, Christian & MacKerron, George, 2023. "Back to Edgeworth? Estimating the Value of Time Using Hedonic Experiences," IZA Discussion Papers 16308, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Bencsik, Panka & Lusher, Lester & Taylor, Rebecca L.C., 2023. "Slow Traffic, Fast Food: The Effects of Time Lost on Food Store Choice," IZA Discussion Papers 16036, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Zhang, Yuhan & Shao, Yichang & Bi, Hui & Aoyong, Li & Ye, Zhirui, 2023. "Bike-sharing systems rebalancing considering redistribution proportions: A user-based repositioning approach," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 610(C).
    8. Ariel Goldszmidt & John A. List & Robert D. Metcalfe & Ian Muir & V. Kerry Smith & Jenny Wang, 2020. "The Value of Time in the United States: Estimates from Nationwide Natural Field Experiments," NBER Working Papers 28208, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    9. Lam, Chungsang Tom & Liu, Meng & Hui, Xiang, 2021. "The geography of ridesharing: A case study on New York City," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    10. Christensen, Peter & Osman, Adam, 2021. "The Demand for Mobility: Evidence from an Experiment with Uber Riders," IZA Discussion Papers 14179, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    11. Durrmeyer, Isis & Martinez, Nicolas, 2022. "The Welfare Consequences of Urban Traffic Regulations," TSE Working Papers 22-1378, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    12. Su, Yichen, 2022. "Measuring the Value of Urban Consumption Amenities: A Time-Use Approach," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    13. Gilles Duranton & Jessie Handbury, 2023. "COVID and Cities, Thus Far," Economic Policy Review, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, vol. 29(2), pages 6-52, October.
    14. Enache, Andreea & Friberg, Richard & Wiklander, Magnus, 2023. "Demand for in-app purchases in mobile apps—A difference-in-difference approach," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    15. Su, Yichen, 2022. "Measuring the Value of Urban Consumption Amenities: A Time-Use Approach," MPRA Paper 113158, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Wichman, Casey J. & Cunningham, Brandon, 2023. "Notching for free: Do cyclists reveal the opportunity cost of time?," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    17. Jerch, Rhiannon & Barwick, Panle Jia & Li, Shanjun & Wu, Jing, 2024. "The impact of road rationing on housing demand and sorting," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    18. Buchholz, Nicholas & Doval, Laura & Kastl, Jakub & Matejka, Filip & Salz, Tobias, 2020. "The Value of Time: Evidence From Auctioned Cab Rides," CEPR Discussion Papers 14666, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    19. Jackson Dorsey & Ashley Langer & Shaun McRae, 2022. "Fueling Alternatives: Gas Station Choice and the Implications for Electric Charging," NBER Working Papers 29831, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Value of time; demand in transportation markets; ride hail;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • L90 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - General
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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