Over seven out of ten Australians think face masks should be mandatory on public transport and almost 90 per cent believe there is a moderate to high risk of COVID-19 transmission on the transport network new research released today by the Tourism and Transport Forum Australia [TTF] reveals.
The report “Where to Now? Transport Systems in a ‘COVID-19 Normal’ World” was produced by TTF using data supplied by LEK Consulting and a national consumer survey of 2,300 Australians conducted by MI Associates.
The report shows the significant impact of the pandemic on public transport patronage particularly during the national lockdown from March through to May with the number of commuters travelling on the network dropping to between 10 to 30 per cent of normal activity across our capital cities.
TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond said COVID-19 had a massive impact on travel patterns across all capital cities and the impacts had continued well beyond the national lockdown.
“Safety concerns have been the major barrier to getting back to pre-COVID-19 patronage levels on the network along with significant numbers of employees still working from home,” Ms Osmond said.
“Our research shows almost 90 per cent of businesses have required their staff to work from home in some shape or form during COVID-19 so it’s not surprising that patronage dropped so significantly especially during the initial lockdown.
“The confidence issue also emerged early in the piece with May ABS data showing 59 per cent of Australians felt uncomfortable travelling to work by public transport as restrictions started to ease.
“Recent consumer polling conducted for TTF by MI Associates showed that trend continuing after the second wave and more extreme lockdown in Victoria and other small outbreaks in NSW and South Australia with 86 per cent saying they believe there is a moderate to high risk of COVID-19 transmission on the transport network.
“A further 71 per cent support the mandatory requirement to wear face masks on public transport while 61 per cent want a public awareness campaign which highlights the COVID-19 safety measures put in place on public transport.
“It is the long-term impact of the pandemic however that is posing the most problems for public transport departments when it comes to scheduling and the drop in revenue as many people continue to work from home at least a couple of days per week and the continuing perception that public transport is a high risk for COVID-19 transmission.
“As we adapt to a ‘COVID-19 normal’ these issues will continue to challenge policymakers along with the longer-term implications of the changing face of the workplace and new travel patterns become established,” Ms Osmond said.
Other findings of the survey include:
• Of the major transport modes ferries were most impacted with commuter numbers dropping to nine per cent of normal capacity during the national lockdown.
• Private car use was also impacted significantly with toll road data showing a drop of between 50 and 65 per cent in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in early April.
• Almost 75 per cent of people working from home prefer to continue to work that way.
• 71 per cent of Australians support mandatory mask wearing on public transport: 84% in VIC, 74% in NSW, 59% in WA, 57% in QLD and SA, noting research conducted prior to recent Adelaide outbreak.
• Over 86 per cent of Australians believe public transport poses a moderate to high risk of COVID-19 transmission: 55% VIC respondents rate public transport as the highest or one of the highest risks, 48% in NSW, 47% in SA, 40% in QLD, 40% in WA.
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