I mean that what kind of vehicles will be used or preferred for transportation by commuters? Because of the COVID-19 or similar viruses, many people does not want to use public transportation, thus use of private cars may increase but it will bring our mind the environmental and economical issues. Therefore what will be the solution for this subject? For instance, use of a new type autonomus public transportation vehicles or use of autonomus compact cars (mini size and powered by electric) or use of bicycles? I have some ideas, I will share that but I am curious about yours. What is your idea?

One thing is clear as crystal that People want to travel in cleaner environment with less people. They prefer to use PPE because every one is afraid of Death due to COVID-19.

Shift in developing country will be very slow, unlike in Global North.

Precaution must be taken by the public transportation companies regarding proper ventilation of the transportation units and providing sterilization for the user before getting into the vehicle. Such measures will persuade people to continue using the public transportation system.

I'm writing from the context of New Zealand where we have been lucky enough to get on top of Covid quite well. It seems that things are returning quickly to normal, ie back to reliance on private car, some decent percentage using public transport, but cycling back to low mode share. Sociologically, covid has been a shock but I would not uderestimate the desire by everyday people to reinstate their usual patterns of mobility. In short, not sure that much will change.

I suspect that, for those that will still require public transport, cost and convenience will remain important considerations. I also think that much will return to what it was previously, for those reasons, unless we get these sort of illnesses much more often - as per Mike's comments above. I'm from South Africa, and agree with M. Shafiq-Ur Rahman that change in developing countries such as ours will be very slow - many people here aspire to car ownership due to sub-optimal public transport systems.

Dear Fahim Aslam ,

Thanks for your reply and share of your opinions. The availability of shared public transportation option would be critical for many users. The golf bus is a good idea, but the application may be limited because of the geographic locations and seasonal issues.

Dear Saad Sarsam ,

Thanks for your reply. I agree with you. Some precautions may have significant effects on user preference. But, we need to discuss more options and beyond that.

Dear Mike Lloyd ,

Thank you for your contribution. I believe that the sociological perspective is the most important part of this process. Therefore, your opinions and predictions are valuable as a specialist.

Dear Gideon Coetzee ,

Thanks for your contributions. Perhaps we should discuss this issue separately on the basis of developed and developing countries.

Yes, people would return to their normal transport behaviour. My opinion is that many people, because of economic constraints did not have and currently not have any other choice than Public Transport. Such a constraint will be stronger as the post-covid economic crisis will distress more and more people. I am not so keen on AV because I believe the traffic flows will increase.

Individual Autonomous vehicles and/or Electric vehicles will rise an equity problem issue for the lower social classes that could not afford these technologies, as well as for the energy poverty of some Countries or areas. Automotive Industry have to move toward the business model of mobility service providers then cars selling. For ex. in my town the biggest car seller company has activate an e-scooter and car sharing because of the drop of car demand.

For the crisis, medium class people can't now afford the normal 2 cars ownership per family. Government shoud take this opportunity for a mobility paradigm shift by moving towards pubblic transport (Autonomous or not) and active mobility. Massive investiments have to be done in that direction in order to take this opportunity. Many people have successfully experienced biking and walking in this period. This situation have to be fostered also to support lower classes. Actually, I agree with @mike Loyd. From the sociological view point a new resilient model of society is necessary to support transportation behaviour.

Dear Michele Ottomanelli ,

Thank you very much for share of your valuable comments and contributions.

This discussion has become more and more meaningful with your valuable contributions. I believe that the comments made by researchers in different countries will contribute to the different aspects of the subject.

In Turkey many people, who has opportunity, tried to buy a passenger car to protect themselves from Covid-19. How ever I believe that they will have to return back to public transport because of economic ocnstraints as Dr. Ottomanelli stated. In long term perhaps autonomous public transport systems may serve with better efficiency.

Dear Serhan Tanyel,

Thank you very much for your valuable statements. As you stated, autonomous public transport systems may be an efficient solution for future. However, especially for outbreaks, it will be beneficial to consider some features that prevent contamination and take physical distance into account in vehicle design.

Very interesting discussion topic. Check out this publication on COVID-19 and mobility. Article What opportunities could the COVID-19 outbreak offer for sus...

I am from Brazil and I can say that, in developing countries, it is difficult for workers to depend less on public transport. I believe that a relevant point for this discussion would be how to improve this type of transport and adapt it to the new health reality in a sustainable and low cost way.

Dear Wisdom Kanda

Thanks for your comments.

Dear Hermann Gruenwald ,

It is an expected outcome for the people who have the money!

Thanks for your comments.

Dear Anna Ebers Broughel

Thanks for your interesting comments.

Pandemic diseases such as COVID-19 could trigger the driverless vehicle concept in the near future. In addition, the widespread use of electric vehicles may cause changes in user preferences.

Dear Thaís Debli Libardoni ,

Thank you very much for your highlights on the subject.

It is good that you highlight this relevant point. Actually, I started this discussion by wondering about it. Maybe if those who have opinions on this subject convey their thoughts here, we can take the discussion one step further.

Dear S. Cankat Tanrıverdi ,

Thanks for your comments. In fact, it will be possible to provide a service that can meet the needs of users with different public transportation vehicle designs. Adequate fleet and travel scheduling issues need to be optimized to solve the high occupancy problem.

Working class dominantly uses public transport. For mentioned society class, it is not preferable to use private vehicles in terms of economical issues. However in new world private vehicle usage will be more preferable. Many workers will try to have a private vehicle in the future. Again but, for mentioned society class, individiual economical constraints may prevent to buy a car. Thus, as a shortcut, cycling, motorcyling and pedestrian etc. modes will be more preferable in the future.

MaaS would be a proper way for both the transport service providers and the commuters, particular the working class, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Very interesting question. Some of the key aspects have been addressed in this paper on COVID-19 and sustainability transitions on mobility and energy. Article What opportunities could the COVID-19 outbreak offer for sus...

Dear Gorkem Gulhan ,

Thanks for your comments.As you stated, private transportation options would be more preferable in future. On the other hand, I believe that design of public transportation vehicles would also be changed.

Dear Jiamin Zhang ,

Thanks for your comments. That would be another dimension of this pandemic. MaaS would become more common in future for working class of society.

Dear Wisdom Kanda ,

Thanks for sharing your paper.

A finding from a survey in Germany pointed out that COVID-19 has been shifting people from public transit to private car.

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davekeating/2020/09/29/covid-causing-shift-from-public-transport-to-cars/?sh=18eb41615aea

In my opinion, people could move towards privacy and space after the pandemic; therefor, besides transportation behavior, housing pattern may change as well.

In Kenya only 5% of people own cars and therefore the 95% depend on public transport and therefore the use of public transport will be the same as was before the pandemic. There will be overloading particularly in peak hours.

Similar to the Kenyan situation, I don't expect any modal shift or cha ge in travel behaviour. The majority of the urban population continue to rely on public transport