Dip in ridership, a worldwide phenomenon

Namma Metro and the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) might be struggling with low ridership figures, but a recent survey has established that this is a global trend affecting cities big and small, developed and developing.

The survey by Israeli mobility app provider Moovit has found that over 40% of commuters worldwide have cut back on public transport rides. Here is a look at the other key findings, which should help formulate a collective strategy for mass transit systems to get back to pre-Covid ridership levels.

As many as 8.5% have completely stayed away from public transport since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.

At the lowest point in 2020, cities across the world recorded a drop in public transport ridership exceeding 80%.

The Moovit survey was based on responses from ‘tens of thousands’ of commuters in over 100 cities across 28 countries.

For 38% of the respondents, the frequency of public transport use did not change.

The aversion to public transport was least severe in Singapore.

To boost safety in public transport, surveys by Moovit and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) offered solutions.

Availability of real-time arrival information to avoid waiting at crowded bus stops.

Increased frequency of service so that the buses / Metro coaches are less packed.

Common payment platforms and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) applications so that all the public mobility options in a city can be accessed and paid for on a single Mobile App.

Real-time vehicle occupancy data on Mobile Apps so that the public can see if a bus / Metro is already full before it gets to the bus stop.