Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on mobility behavior of public transport passengers: the case of Metropolitan Area of Porto

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Marta Campos Ferreira (Author) FEUP; Fernandes, H (Author) Other; Sobral, T (Author) Other; Teresa Galvão Dias (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: European Transport Research Review

Vol. 16

ISSN: 1867-0717

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-017-3VX

DOI: 10.1186/s12544-024-00673-x

Abstract (EN): Public transport systems worldwide experienced significant declines in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdowns and work-from-home mandates. While numerous studies have examined these phenomena, there is still a need for empirical evidence that not only documents what occurred but also provides actionable insights for future transport planning. This study aims to enhance understanding of public transport passengers' mobility behaviors during different stages of the pandemic, using the Metropolitan Area of Porto, Portugal, as a case study. Automated Fare Collection data from 2020 were analyzed and compared with data from the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The analysis included temporal, spatial, spatio-temporal, and sociodemographic dimensions. Key patterns and trends identified include a rapid recovery of ridership post-restriction easing, homogenized daily travel patterns, varied impacts on different transport modes, and significant shifts in demographic travel behaviors. These findings highlight the resilience of public transport demand and suggest that adaptive scheduling, enhanced safety measures, targeted support for vulnerable groups, promotion of off-peak travel, investment in bus infrastructure, and encouragement of multi-modal transport are essential strategies. Implementing these strategies can help improve public transport planning and mitigate the adverse effects of future crises.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 20