Abstract:
Technological advancements have transformed public transport payment systems
worldwide, with countries such as Singapore, Japan, and the United Kingdom
adopting automated solutions including contactless cards, QR codes, and mobile
wallets. These systems have enhanced the commuter experience and minimized fare
leakage. In contrast, Sri Lanka continues to rely heavily on cash-based transactions
for public transport payments, which are slow, inefficient, and prone to financial
losses. This study investigates the potential adoption of automated payment systems
in Sri Lanka’s public transport sector by examining key technological factors
influencing commuter acceptance. The research aims to identify the factors
associated with the potential adoption of automated payment methods. A quantitative
research approach was employed, using a structured questionnaire administered to a
convenience sample of 384 public transport users. The study draws on constructs
from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and related frameworks, focusing on
Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Security, and Technology
Readiness. Data analysis (SPSS v21) involved factor analysis, correlation, and
multiple regression to assess relationships and the predictive strength of each
variable. The findings reveal that all four factors significantly influence the likelihood
of adopting automated payment systems (R =.718, R² =.515). Perceived Ease of Use
(β =.264) and Perceived Usefulness (β =.201) emerged as the strongest predictors,
followed by Perceived Security (β =.142) and Technology Readiness (β =.264). These
results suggest that commuter acceptance hinges on systems being user-friendly,
beneficial, secure, and aligned with users' technological capabilities. The study
insights for policymakers, operators, technology providers and new researches and
recommending pilot projects, user education, and secure digital solutions to
modernize Sri Lanka’s public transport payments.
