Impact of COVID-19 on Public Transportation Mode Choice and Travel Decisions by Ghanaians

Abstract

The global outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) has affected several sectors including the transportation industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decrease in outdoor trips and hence patronage of public transportation. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate the influence of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic on the choice of public transportation modes and travel decisions by Ghanaians. A Google form questionnaire was administered to 2030 participants across all the 16 regions in Ghana. The study indicated that Ghanaians were aware of the COVID-19 disease, how it was spread and various preventive protocols. In addition, a significant change was observed in the choice of public transportation modes where there was a shift to private cars and hired private taxi usage during the outbreak of COVID-19 compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. The ordered logit model predicted that the COVID-19 pandemic had a 17.7 % minor impact on the transportation mode choice of Ghanaians. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic was likely to have a higher impact on social activities of youths in the age group of 30-39 years than on adults from 60 years and above and hence travel decisions. Finally, the model predicted that the demographic characteristics were 16.7% and 20.7% more likely to influence the choice of public transportation and private car usage respectively of Ghanaians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the eruption of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on social activities, affected travel decisions and hence influenced the choice of public transportation modes of Ghanaians although these unexpected changes may not last. It is anticipated that life activities will be normal if the COVID-19 pandemic is declared over.