Public transport use plummeted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with some countries and cities experiencing up to 90% decreases in use due to public health restrictions.
The initial trend post-vaccine has seen increased levels of hybrid working, resulting in lower overall public transport use compared to pre-pandemic levels, particularly at peak times.
This overall decrease in passenger journeys has resulted in reduced revenue from fares, which has led to huge budget shortfalls in some cases.
Operators have been reliant on emergency funding and subsidies from governments, but this is being re-evaluated as priorities shift and Covid-19 becomes a managed part of daily lives in some parts of the world.
Getting more people onto public transport and implementing policies that support greater take-up of active travel will reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, while reducing congestion and delivering improved social outcomes. A sustainable future funding model for public transport must therefore be established and implemented if these national and global objectives are to be met.
So, what needs to happen next?
This online panel debate will take an honest look at options for what policymakers need to do next to ensure a sustainable funding model is found.
