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Urban transport during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study of Poland

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  • Michal Zajfert

    (Polish Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Ongoing improvement in the quality of public transport calms and slows road traffic while causing desirable changes in the transport behaviours of residents and the urban structure of city centres. These efforts were thwarted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a significant decrease in public transport ridership. Its scope varied with the passage of time and with the dynamics of the pandemic itself, which were significantly different for individual cities. This article undertakes an analysis of these changes in Poland and identifies factors describing public transport accessibility that may influence them. The novelty of this article is examining the correlation of changes in public transport ridership in 17 Polish cities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic with the presented range of factors and conducted longitudinal studies. A multiple regression analysis was made possible by collecting data describing various aspects of public transport and populations. The introduction of remote work and learning also had a noticeable impact in public transport ridership during this period. In some sectors and fields, they have proven to be at least as efficient, but less expensive than their traditional forms, which suggests that they may have an impact on reducing the public transport ridership after the end of the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Michal Zajfert, 2025. "Urban transport during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study of Poland," Public Transport, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 153-176, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:pubtra:v:17:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12469-024-00359-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s12469-024-00359-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Public transport; Urban mobility; Commuting behaviour;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • L98 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Government Policy
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • 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
    • H76 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Other Expenditure Categories

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