Transport Choices Post-COVID-19

Before COVID-19, transport decisions were relatively simple. The thought processes among transport professionals were generally aligned on one common goal - to drive transport towards sustainability. We did everything we could to shift people towards public transport and active modes.

• We spent millions, billions and trillions on public transport infrastructure projects.
• We built bicycle lanes, walking paths and created end-trip facilities in offices to encourage people to ride bicycles to work.
• We employed traffic signal priority schemes for public transport vehicles.
• We painted bus lanes and built tramways.
• We installed separation kerbing for light rail and raised tram tracks to physically separate them from cars.

Fast forward 1.5 years, the world has changed. Ask anyone out there. Majority doesn't want to ever go back to work for more than 3 days a week. Yes, this is the majority. We proved we can get things done through computers. So why waste 3 hours for the commute? A majority of the minority that wants to go back to 5 days is the younger generation, who will slowly progress into the middle age sooner rather later and prefer the aforementioned flexible working pattern. Suppose everyone on average works 2 out of 5 days from home. We are 40% less than Pre-COVID passenger numbers. Are our investments worth it? The scary thing is it's too late to turn back. Turning back isn't even the option - hands down, our initial plan is the plan for a sustainable future. 

Let's say the above calculation has too many assumptions. That's fine. But, do we really feel going to work on Mondays if that working from home option is available? What about when you are expecting a much anticipated package delivery you bought off internet? What about when you have a kid who is sick? Wouldn't we all choose to "work from home" in these scenarios. We would, surely. The assumptions mentioned above don't sound too far off now, do they? 

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