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The impact of COVID-19 on mobility choices in Switzerland

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  • Hintermann, Beat
  • Schoeman, Beaumont
  • Molloy, Joseph
  • Schatzmann, Thomas
  • Tchervenkov, Christopher
  • Axhausen, Kay W.

Abstract

We study the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated government measures on individual mobility choices in Switzerland. Our data is based on over 1,600 people for which we observe all trips during eight weeks before the pandemic and until May 2021. We find an overall reduction of travel distances by 60 percent, followed by a gradual recovery during the subsequent re-opening of the economy. Whereas driving distances have almost completely recovered, public transport re-mains under-used. The introduction of a requirement to wear a mask in public transport had no measurable impact on ridership. The individual travel response to the pandemic varies along socio-economic dimensions such as education and house-hold size, with mobility tool ownership, and with personal values and lifestyles. We find no evidence for a significant substitution of leisure travel to compensate for the reduction in work-related travel.

Suggested Citation

  • Hintermann, Beat & Schoeman, Beaumont & Molloy, Joseph & Schatzmann, Thomas & Tchervenkov, Christopher & Axhausen, Kay W., 2023. "The impact of COVID-19 on mobility choices in Switzerland," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:169:y:2023:i:c:s0965856423000022
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2023.103582
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    Cited by:

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    2. Randrianarisoa, Laingo M. & Gillen, David, 2023. "Policy responses and travellers’ preferences in pandemics: Evidence from Europe," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 305-316.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Transport; Mobility; GPS tracking; Causal forest;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • H40 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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