IISc paper examines COVID-19 induced travel changes, strategies and epidemic prevention

Among the sectors hit the hardest by the pandemic as well as subsequent lockdowns has been public transport. Major transport authorities around the world have reported up to a 95% reduction in users which not only shows the magnitude of the problem we face today but puts the future of these businesses and services in uncertainty,’‘ said the authors, in the paper, ‘Public transport strategy and epidemic prevention framework in the Context of COVID-19,’ published in Transport Policy, an international journal published by Elsevier. The COVID-19 crisis enabled a reality check of capacity and capability of transport services, especially public transport, in observing unprecedented shocks and addressing the travel needs during highly restricted situations induced by the pandemic, the authors told The Hindu. “Due to safety, health and accessibility issues of public transport induced by COVID, passengers have already been looking for alternative means of transport like private vehicles, cab services, cycling, etc. They also suggested implementing cargo and parcel services by road transport corporations to generate alternate revenues, providing free and better internet connectivity to help working professionals who have to travel long distances and bringing CNG-enabled buses Recommendations Policy recommendations for service involve routes, areas status, recording passenger details, stops, waiting times, sanitisation of the waiting area and bus.