Pandemic insights: analysing public transport with logit models

Abstract

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on public transportation usage in Bursa, Turkey, was examined in this work. The usage of major transit systems (buses, trams and light rail) before and during the pandemic were assessed. Changes in public transportation behaviour were captured through an online survey of 767 participants from key activity centres. Using two ordinal logit models, the factors influencing preferences were identified. It was found that age, gender and home-to-work distance were influential before the pandemic, while educational status and distance became crucial during the pandemic. The research further explored the tendency to walk, cycle or use an e-scooter if safe, separated non-motorised transportation routes had been provided, considering various scenarios of home–workplace distance. The results of this study will help decision makers make sustainable transportation plans by taking into account catastrophic periods such as the Covid-19 pandemic.