Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public transport

Later figures have not been released, but are believed to be significantly higher, and expected to increase with the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in July 2021 (see United Kingdom section).

Modelling at the US University of Colorado Boulder in North America found that the risk of being infected in a well-ventilated metro, or a bus, with minimal talking and movement is 0 percent after 70 minutes.

Drivers and passengers should (or in some jurisdictions must) wear face coverings, avoid frequently touched surfaces, and sit at least six feet apart if possible.

[9][8] One study tested different virus mitigation technologies in a bus, suggesting that photocatalytic oxidation inserts, UV-C light and positive pressure environment could be efficacious and that it is important that masks are worn.

Field trials of novel durably biocide treated air purifiers for preventing the spread of airborne pathogens were conducted onboard public rail transport.

[14] A study investigated whether there is an association between public transportation and influenza mortality (as an indicator of disease prevalence), using data from 121 large cities in the U.S., and found no evidence of a positive relationship.

[17] On 23 January 2020, the entire Wuhan Metro network was shut down, along with all other public transport in the city, including national railway and air travel, to halt the spread of the virus.

[23] To further control the spread of the virus, certain Line 6 trains were outfitted with smart surveillance cameras that can detect passengers who are not wearing masks.

"After the official, large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) status it can be ascertained that public transportation user numbers have declined as people's mobility has been limited," she added.

[40] On 20 March, free public transportation for people 65 years of age or older was temporarily suspended in Balıkesir, Konya and Malatya to encourage them to stay at home.

[44] At the start of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for public transportation in the top EU economies declined just 20% according to Google Mobility Reports.

[50] France will make face masks compulsory on public transport when it starts easing its coronavirus lockdown on 11 May, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said.

[56] Many public transport timetables returned to normal by 29 June, but social distancing requirements meant that overall passenger capacity remained restricted.

[67] Throughout the pandemic, people had been told not to use public transport for non-essential travel, to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and allow for social distancing in carriages, for essential workers.

[69] This caused severe financial problems; for example Transport for London (TfL) in May 2020 applied for £2 billion in state aid to continue operating until September, having lost 90 percent of its income.

While there has been pressure from passenger groups to release data so that travellers can make informed decisions, in July 2021 the RSSB said only that the risks of transmission on trains are "tolerably low".

[73] Because of COVID-19 concerns, 34% of individuals in the Greek city of Thessaloniki stopped utilizing public transportation, and over 70% stated they would prefer more buses on the road to reduce the possibilities of cars being overcrowded.

[74][75][76] Based on data released by Transit, demand for public transport in Canada dropped an average of 83 percent in late March compared to previous years.

[81][82] On April 14, Metro Vancouver's TransLink said they were losing CA$75 million per month, and would need emergency funding or be forced to cut large amounts of local services.

[84] According to Government Technology, "Steep declines in ridership during the crisis have pushed public transit systems across the U.S. into deep financial distress.

[87] The Verge reported an 18.65 percent ridership decline on the New York City Subway system for March 11 compared to one year prior.

[95][96] To reduce contact between drivers and passengers, several agencies have implemented rear-door-only boarding[90][97] and temporarily suspended the collection of fares,[89] examples including Seattle,[98] New York City buses,[99] and Denver.

[97] In January 2021, the U.S. federal government issued a nationwide requirement for face masks to be worn on board all public transit vehicles and at "transportation hubs".

[105] However, the nationwide mandate abruptly ended about two weeks before that date, on April 17, 2022, when a federal judge in Florida struck it down, saying the TSA and CDC had exceeded their authority in imposing it.

[107] The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has reduced bus and Trolley (light rail) services following ridership decreases.

[109] Bay Area Rapid Transit ridership plummeted by 90 percent prompting reduced service hours,[110] cut short turns on lines,[111] and longer train lengths to accommodate social distancing.

[112] Beginning March 25, service on buses and subways was reduced due to decreased ridership during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.

[116] The following month, Feinberg called the MTA "the most aggressive transit agency in the country in acting quickly and decisively to protect our workforce.

[106] In order to observe physical distancing and to limit the spread of COVID-19, green dots were placed throughout the public transport network to guide commuters on where to stand and sit.