Travel during Covid-19Tracking research - week 33

18 December 2020

Travel during Covid-19: omnibus week 33 The proportion of people using public transport

has risen in recent weeks

2

15%

11%

5%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

1-3

May

7-9

May

15

-17 M

ay

22

-24 M

ay

29

-31 M

ay

5-7

Ju

n

12

-14 J

un

19

-21 J

un

26

-28 J

un

3-5

Ju

l

10

-12 J

ul

17

-19 J

ul

24

-26 J

ul

31

Jul-2 A

ug

7-9

Au

g

14

-16 A

ug

21

-23 A

ug

28

-30 A

ug

4-6

Se

p

11

-13 S

ep

18

-20 S

ep

25

-27 S

ep

2-4

Oct

9-1

1 O

ct

16

-18 O

ct

23

-25 O

ct

30

Oct-

1 N

ov

6-8

Nov

13

-15 N

ov

20

-22 N

ov

27

-29 N

ov

4-6

Dec

11

-13 D

ec

Use of public transport in last seven days – Great Britain

Public Transport Overall Bus Train

Travel during Covid-19: omnibus week 33 Small proportions have used trains and buses

3

3%

3%

3%0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

1-3

May

7-9

May

15

-17 M

ay

22

-24 M

ay

29

-31 M

ay

5-7

Ju

n

12

-14 J

un

19

-21 J

un

26

-28 J

un

3-5

Ju

l

10

-12 J

ul

17

-19 J

ul

24

-26 J

ul

31

Jul-2 A

ug

7-9

Au

g

14

-16 A

ug

21

-23 A

ug

28

-30 A

ug

4-6

Se

p

11

-13 S

ep

18

-20 S

ep

25

-27 S

ep

2-4

Oct

9-1

1 O

ct

16

-18 O

ct

23

-25 O

ct

30

Oct-

1 N

ov

6-8

Nov

13

-15 N

ov

20

-22 N

ov

27

-29 N

ov

4-6

Dec

11

-13 D

ec

Use of train in last seven days

Train (outside London) London Underground Train (London)

7%

4%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

1-3

May

7-9

May

15

-17 M

ay

22

-24 M

ay

29

-31 M

ay

5-7

Ju

n

12

-14 J

un

19

-21 J

un

26

-28 J

un

3-5

Ju

l

10

-12 J

ul

17

-19 J

ul

24

-26 J

ul

31

Jul-2 A

ug

7-9

Au

g

14

-16 A

ug

21

-23 A

ug

28

-30 A

ug

4-6

Se

p

11

-13 S

ep

18

-20 S

ep

25

-27 S

ep

2-4

Oct

9-1

1 O

ct

16

-18 O

ct

23

-25 O

ct

30

Oct-

1 N

ov

6-8

Nov

13

-15 N

ov

20

-22 N

ov

27

-29 N

ov

4-6

Dec

11

-13 D

ec

Use of bus in last seven days

Bus (outside London) London Bus

Travel during Covid-19: omnibus week 33 Road use is relatively consistent

4

62%

31%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1-3

May

7-9

May

15

-17 M

ay

22

-24 M

ay

29

-31 M

ay

5-7

Ju

n

12

-14 J

un

19

-21 J

un

26

-28 J

un

3-5

Ju

l

10

-12 J

ul

17

-19 J

ul

24

-26 J

ul

31

Jul-2 A

ug

7-9

Au

g

14

-16 A

ug

21

-23 A

ug

28

-30 A

ug

4-6

Se

p

11

-13 S

ep

18

-20 S

ep

25

-27 S

ep

2-4

Oct

9-1

1 O

ct

16

-18 O

ct

23

-25 O

ct

30

Oct-

1 N

ov

6-8

Nov

13

-15 N

ov

20

-22 N

ov

27

-29 N

ov

4-6

Dec

11

-13 D

ec

Use of car / van in last seven days

As a driver As a passenger

4%

1%0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

1-3

May

7-9

May

15

-17 M

ay

22

-24 M

ay

29

-31 M

ay

5-7

Ju

n

12

-14 J

un

19

-21 J

un

26

-28 J

un

3-5

Ju

l

10

-12 J

ul

17

-19 J

ul

24

-26 J

ul

31

Jul-2 A

ug

7-9

Au

g

14

-16 A

ug

21

-23 A

ug

28

-30 A

ug

4-6

Se

p

11

-13 S

ep

18

-20 S

ep

25

-27 S

ep

2-4

Oct

9-1

1 O

ct

16

-18 O

ct

23

-25 O

ct

30

Oct-

1 N

ov

6-8

Nov

13

-15 N

ov

20

-22 N

ov

27

-29 N

ov

4-6

Dec

11

-13 D

ec

Use of taxi / motorcycle in the last seven days

Taxi Motorcycle*

* Separated out at week 12 (17-19 July)

Travel during Covid-19: omnibus week 33 Two in five have made journeys on foot, while

fewer have made journeys by bike

5

42%

6%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1-3

May

7-9

May

15

-17 M

ay

22

-24 M

ay

29

-31 M

ay

5-7

Ju

n

12

-14 J

un

19

-21 J

un

26

-28 J

un

3-5

Ju

l

10

-12 J

ul

17

-19 J

ul

24

-26 J

ul

31

Jul-2 A

ug

7-9

Au

g

14

-16 A

ug

21

-23 A

ug

28

-30

Au

g

4-6

Se

p

11

-13 S

ep

18

-20 S

ep

25

-27 S

ep

2-4

Oct

9-1

1 O

ct

16

-18 O

ct

23

-25 O

ct

30

Oct-

1 N

ov

6-8

Nov

13

-15 N

ov

20

-22 N

ov

27

-29 N

ov

4-6

Dec

11

-13 D

ec

Use of other modes of transport in the last seven days

Walking Bicycle

79%

25%23%

26%

30%35%

6%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1-3

May

7-9

May

15

-17 M

ay

22

-24 M

ay

29

-31 M

ay

5-7

Ju

n

12

-14 J

un

19

-21 J

un

26

-28 J

un

3-5

Ju

l

10

-12 J

ul

17

-19 J

ul

24

-26 J

ul

31

Jul-2 A

ug

7-9

Au

g

14

-16 A

ug

21

-23 A

ug

28

-30 A

ug

4-6

Se

p

11

-13 S

ep

18

-20 S

ep

25

-27 S

ep

2-4

Oct

9-1

1 O

ct

16

-18 O

ct

23

-25 O

ct

30

Oct-

1 N

ov

6-8

Nov

13

-15 N

ov

20

-22 N

ov

27

-29 N

ov

4-6

Dec

11

-13 D

ec

Shopping for essentials / groceries*

Visiting friends or relatives"

To travel for other leisure reasons such as eating out, visiting attractions etc."

To travel to exercise"

Travelling on personal business (doctor, hospital, bank etc.)

Travelling to or from place of work

Travelling for work outside of travelling to or from place of work^

6

Reasons for making journeys in the last seven days

Travel during Covid-19: omnibus week 33 Rising proportions have made journeys to visit friends and

relatives or for leisure reasons over recent weeks

* Shopping’ weeks 1-9 (1 May – 28 June)

“ data shown from week 10 (3-5 July) only as significant text changes made from

this week onwards

^ New code added at week 17 (21-23 August)

50%

26%

37%

1%

3%

2%

20%23%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1-3

May

7-9

May

15

-17 M

ay

22

-24 M

ay

29

-31 M

ay

5-7

Ju

n

12

-14 J

un

19

-21 J

un

26

-28 J

un

3-5

Ju

l

10

-12 J

ul

17

-19 J

ul

24

-26 J

ul

31

Jul-2 A

ug

7-9

Au

g

14

-16 A

ug

21

-23 A

ug

28

-30 A

ug

4-6

Se

p

11

-13 S

ep

18

-20 S

ep

25

-27 S

ep

2-4

Oct

9-1

1 O

ct

16

-18 O

ct

23

-25 O

ct

30

Oct-

1 N

ov

6-8

Nov

13

-15 N

ov

20

-22 N

ov

27

-29 N

ov

4-6

Dec

11

-13 D

ec

Because I had no reason to make a journey using public transport

Because I don't feel safe using public transport at the moment^

I have used a car / van instead

I have used a motorcycle instead"

I have cycled instead

I could not travel because I was ill / self isolating / caring for others

I have walked instead

Because I have been avoiding public transport*

Travel during Covid-19: omnibus week 33 A quarter have not used public transport in the last

seven days because they do not feel safe doing so. A

similar proportion have been avoiding doing so.

7

Reasons public transport not used in the last seven days

* Wording amended at week 10 ( 3-5 July) and at week 13 (24-26 July)

^ New coded added at week 10 (3-5 July)

“ New code added at week 12 (17-19 July)

31%

55%

13%1%

Very Safe Fairly safe Not very safe Not at all safe

Week 33

8

Specifically in relation to coronavirus, how safe do you feel at the

moment when using trains?

Base: All making journeys by train, W33 – 101

Almost nine in ten of those making train

journeys in the last seven days felt safe

doing so

7%16% 15%

9% 12% 10%14% 14%

93%84% 85% 91% 88% 90% 86% 86%

85% 87%88% 87% 88% 90% 88% 87%

23-25 Oct 30 Oct-1Nov

6-8 Nov 13-15 Nov 20-22 Nov 27-29 Nov 4-6 Dec 11-13 Dec

% Not very / Not at all safe

Very / Fairly safe

% Very / Fairly safe - aggregated three-week average

Trend - last eight weeks

24%

55%

16%

5%

Very Safe Fairly safe Not very safe Not at all safe

Week 33

9

Specifically in relation to coronavirus, how safe do you feel at the

moment when using buses?

Base: All making journeys by bus, W33 – 201

17%21% 24% 22% 20% 22% 19% 21%

83% 79% 76% 78% 80% 78% 81% 79%

82% 81% 80% 78% 78% 79% 80% 79%

23-25 Oct 30 Oct-1Nov

6-8 Nov 13-15 Nov 20-22 Nov 27-29 Nov 4-6 Dec 11-13 Dec

% Not very / Not at all safe

Very / Fairly safe

% Very / Fairly safe - aggregated three-week average

Four in five of those making bus journeys

in the last seven days felt safe doing so

Trend - last eight weeks

7%

38%

33%

21%

Very Safe Fairly safe Not very safe Not at all safe

Week 33

Specifically in relation to coronavirus^, if you had to make a journey

at the moment, how safe would you feel making a journey by train?

Base: All excluding those making journeys by train, W33 – 1,886

42%47% 48% 48% 50% 49% 46% 46% 47% 43% 47% 46% 47% 45% 43% 44% 44% 47% 46% 45%

31Jul-2Aug

7-9Aug

14-16Aug

21-23Aug

28-30Aug

4-6Sep

11-13Sep

18-20Sep

25-27Sep

2-4Oct

9-11Oct

16-18Oct

23-25Oct

30Oct-1Nov

6-8Nov

13-15Nov

20-22Nov

27-29Nov

4-6Dec

11-13Dec

10

Almost half of those who have not used a

train in the last seven days would feel

safe doing so

Trend - % safe

^ Reference to coronavirus specifically added at week 16 (14-16 August)

11

Two in five of those who have not used a

bus in the last seven days would feel

safe doing so

^ Reference to coronavirus specifically added at week 16 (14-16 August)

Specifically in relation to coronavirus, if you had to make a journey at

the moment, how safe would you feel making a journey by bus?

Base: All excluding those making journeys by bus, W33 – 1,786

6%

31%

37%

26%

Very Safe Fairly safe Not very safe Not at all safe

Week 33

38% 41% 42% 40% 38% 37% 38% 39% 39% 37% 41% 37% 35% 37% 39%40% 39% 37%

14-16Aug

21-23Aug

28-30Aug

4-6Sep

11-13Sep

18-20Sep

25-27Sep

2-4Oct

9-11Oct

16-18Oct

23-25Oct

30Oct-1Nov

6-8Nov

13-15Nov

20-22Nov

27-29Nov

4-6Dec

11-13Dec

Trend - % safe

12

Three in five agree that they think public

transport is cleaner now than it was before

the pandemic

I think that public transport is cleaner now than it was

before the pandemic

Base: W33 1,422

11% 46% 30% 7% 5%

Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither / nor Tend to disagree Strongly disagree

Base excludes don’t know/not applicable answers

* Denotes statistically significant difference from respondents overall

63%

58%

57%

57%

Those aged 45-54*

Those who have used public transport inthe last 7 days

Those who previously used publictransport regularly

Respondents overall

% Agree

13

69% 67% 68% 68% 62% 67% 70%

11-13 Sep 18-20 Sep 25-27 Sep 2-4 Oct 9-11 Oct 16-18 Oct 11-13 Dec

% Agree

Seven in ten say that they are avoiding

doing things they feel are unnecessary

because they are worried about Covid-19

I am avoiding doing things that I don’t see as absolutely

necessary because I’m worried about Covid-19

Base: W33 1,944

31% 39% 16% 7% 7%

Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither / nor Tend to disagree Strongly disagree

Base excludes don’t know/not applicable answers

* Denotes statistically significant difference from respondents overall

73%

73%

76%

79%

Those who were not working prior toMarch 2020

Women*

Those with a disability*

Those aged 65+*

% Agree

14

Three in five of those who used public transport

regularly before March this year agree that they will

use public transport as much, or more than they did

previously when enough people have been vaccinated

When enough people have been vaccinated against COVID-

19 then I expect to use public transport as much, or more

than I did before March this year.

Base: W33 1,562

11% 34% 31% 12% 11%

Strongly agree Tend to agree Neither / nor Tend to disagree Strongly disagree

Base excludes don’t know/not applicable answers

* Denotes statistically significant difference from respondents overall

59%

59%

56%

63%

61%

45%

Those in London*

Those aged 18-24*

Those without access to a car*

Those who have used public transport inthe last seven days*

Those who used public transport regularlybefore March 2020*

Respondents overall

% Agree

All the results from this wave and previous waves of this research are

available for your own analysis on the Transport Focus Data Hub.

The data is available for anyone to view at:

www.transportfocus.org.uk/data-hub

You can access the survey by clicking on ‘Covid-19 Travel Survey’

15

Transport Focus Data Hub

Please note:

Data from new waves of the survey is uploaded and made available on

each Friday morning. The survey may be unavailable on the hub on

Thursday afternoon while the upload of new data takes place.

http://www.transportfocus.org.uk/data-hub

16

Survey method and sample

breakdown – week 33

• c.2000 online interviews per week. Using Yonder Consulting weekly

omnibus.

• Nationally representative of Great British population – not all

respondents are passengers on public transport.

• Those who have provided a response are excluded from the subsequent

wave of research.

• Fieldwork repeated each weekend. Week 33 fieldwork: 11-13 December

• The analysis of attitudinal questions excludes responses from those who

don’t have an opinion or who say that the question is not applicable to

them

Sample size by age groups and gender

TOTAL 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Male Female

Week

332,016 229 323 329 385 286 464 1,008 1,008

Sample size by region

ScotlandNorth

East

North

West

Yorks &

Humber

West

Midlands

East

MidlandsWales Eastern London

South

East

South

West

Week

33160 86 185 170 188 133 127 194 291 278 204