Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the people’s choice of urban public transportation modes and mobility in Addis Ababa and Hawassa city, Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on public transportation mode choices in Ethiopia. Protection motivation theory and multinomial regression model were applied to estimate the mode choice behavior during the pandemic, compared to the pre-COVID period. Results indicated that public transport modes are the dominant modes before and during the pandemic but the choice of these modes declined during the pandemic by about 33 percent. Respondents placed more priority on pandemic-related risk, cleanliness, social-physical distancing, good airflow, and travel cost when deciding mode choice during the pandemic, compared to the pre-COVID period. Pandemic-related factors, gender, income, distance of residences, and travel cost are the significant predictors of mode choice. Passengers are also likely to choose a lesser amount of public transportation whereas more choice for alternative modes. The reasons are the passengers’ perception of travel risks, greater exposure to infections; shortage of infection prevention services; unaffordable service fees; disruption of services, being made out of work and working from home. Overall, the study could inform that COVID-19 pandemic is really impacting the mode choice behaviors of urban people. It will imply policymaking to prepare pandemic-sensitive and adaptive transport systems during & post-pandemic period.