Impact of COVID-19 restriction measures on transport sector in Sub-Saharan Africa: insights from Douala City, Cameroon

Abstract

The transportation industry plays an important role in shaping today's economy and society with a large impact on growth and development. However, the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 and the prompt measures adopted by state governments to contain the spread of the virus drastically reduced services provided by transportation systems. A burgeoning literature is growing already in developed countries evaluating the effect of the pandemic on the transport sector and proposing sustainable measures to cope with future pandemics is underway. Conversely, there is nuanced understanding of the COVID-19 response to the urban transport sector in developing countries of Sub-Saharan Africa where urban population concentration and mobility patterns are at their peak. Though marred by scanty evidence to document and assess the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa, Cameroon represents a useful “study ground” to conduct such findings. Using Douala city in Cameroon as a case study, this paper examines the effect of COVID-19 restrictions on (i) mobility patterns, (ii) transport operators and (iii) to provide evidence-based recommendations to transport authorities in responding to future pandemics in the sub-continent. A sample of 190 key informants (taxi drivers, bus drivers and bike riders) were interviewed using questionnaires complemented by focus group discussions with relevant transport authorities notably transport agency operators, transport delegates, traffic police department and transport syndicate leaders. The key findings reveal a drastic decline in passenger demand for public transport during the pandemic period, a drastic reduction in bus/taxi occupancy leading to a steep decline in intra-urban and inter-urban mobility, and a drop in the income situation of bus and taxi drivers. Transport operators lay off workers at bus terminals stemming from low turnovers. The outcome pushes for policy options for extensive collaboration among various transport-related stakeholders, consultation and effective involvement of public transport operators in decision-making that may create sustainable pathways to cope future pandemic waves.