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The Unintended Consequences of COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on Mass Transit and Car Use

Author

Listed:
  • Élise Labonté-LeMoyne

    (NSERC-Prompt Industrial Research Chair in User Experience, HEC Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada)

  • Shang-Lin Chen

    (NSERC-Prompt Industrial Research Chair in User Experience, HEC Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada)

  • Constantinos K. Coursaris

    (NSERC-Prompt Industrial Research Chair in User Experience, HEC Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada)

  • Sylvain Sénécal

    (NSERC-Prompt Industrial Research Chair in User Experience, HEC Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada)

  • Pierre-Majorique Léger

    (NSERC-Prompt Industrial Research Chair in User Experience, HEC Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada)

Abstract

As the world adapts to COVID-19, the transport behaviour of commuters has been greatly modified. Governments and transit authorities will need strong, well-received mitigation measures and education campaigns to maintain the historically upward trend of sustainable mass transit usage following this pandemic. This study, from a survey of 1968 Canadians in early May 2020, reveals that, following the end of stay-at-home orders, commuters intend to use their cars more and mass transit less. Driving these behavioural changes are commuters’ perceptions that mass transit use will negatively impact their health safety, peace of mind, and travel experience. The results also show that certain mitigation measures, such as more frequent cleaning and mandatory hand washing, are likely to reduce this decline, whereas e-monitoring and the use of health certificates will be detrimental to mass transit ridership through user perception. These results can help lessen the environmental impact of the public returning to work by encouraging their continued use of more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

Suggested Citation

  • Élise Labonté-LeMoyne & Shang-Lin Chen & Constantinos K. Coursaris & Sylvain Sénécal & Pierre-Majorique Léger, 2020. "The Unintended Consequences of COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on Mass Transit and Car Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:23:p:9892-:d:451562
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    5. Ali El Zein & Adrien Beziat & Pascal Pochet & Olivier Klein & Stephanie Vincent, 2022. "What drives the changes in public transport use in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic? Highlights from Lyon metropolitan area," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(S1), pages 122-141, November.
    6. Vega-Gonzalo, Maria & Gomez, Juan & Christidis, Panayotis, 2023. "How has COVID-19 changed private car use in European urban areas? An analysis of the effect of socio-economic characteristics and mobility habits," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    7. Rothengatter, Werner & Zhang, Junyi & Hayashi, Yoshitsugu & Nosach, Anastasiia & Wang, Kun & Oum, Tae Hoon, 2021. "Pandemic waves and the time after Covid-19 – Consequences for the transport sector," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 225-237.
    8. Luan, Siliang & Yang, Qingfang & Jiang, Zhongtai & Wang, Wei, 2021. "Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on individual's travel mode choice in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 271-280.
    9. Downey, Lucy & Fonzone, Achille & Fountas, Grigorios & Semple, Torran, 2022. "The impact of COVID-19 on future public transport use in Scotland," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 338-352.
    10. Yang, Chao & Wan, Zhiyang & Yuan, Quan & Zhou, Yang & Sun, Maopeng, 2023. "Travel before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring factors in essential travel using empirical data," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
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