Who’s Back, Who’s Coming Back, and Who’s Left For Good? Results from Wave 2 of The Public Transit and COVID-19 Survey in Toronto and Vancouver

Abstract

In May 2020 researchers at the University of Toronto Scarborough surveyed over 3,000 regular transit riders in Toronto and Vancouver on how COVID-19 impacted their travel and their ability to reach essential destinations like healthcare and groceries. This report highlights the key results from a follow up survey of nearly 2,000 of the same respondents. In May 2020, 63% of riders across both cities reported that they had stopped riding transit completely. By March 2021, 70% of those who stopped in May 2020 had returned. About 32% of respondents agree that they will ride transit less than they did before the pandemic began, compared with 56% who disagree and 12% who are unsure. Roughly 41% of respondents owned a vehicle in March 2021, up from 36% in May 2020. This represents a 14% increase. These and related results are summarized and discussed along with qualitative feedback on from riders on why they believe they will or will not use transit after COVID-19.