Survey on COVID-19 measures

During the Summer of 2021 we conducted an online survey about Covid-19 measures in place on public transport.

We wanted your views on whether these measures were working.

We had a good response rate to this survey providing us with vital information on:

  • What measures you are aware of?
  • What measures are working?

Most of the responses we received were about travel on bus. The results clearly show that Covid-19 has impacted on how safe you feel whilst making a journey on public transport whether this was pre or post lifting of travel restrictions.

We’re using your responses as part of our customer feedback programme to help shape our plans and take action across our activities.

The Summary Report below on Covid-19 measures on Public Transport provides details of the findings on bus travel.

Summary Report on Covid-19 measures on Public Transport

Over the 12-week period there were a total of 371 responses (including those who haven’t used public transport in the last 7 days) with a significant proportion using the bus (97%).

The survey asked about Covid-19 measures that are/were in place and covered:

  1. Awareness: We have introduced the following to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 while people travel. Which, if any, are you aware of?

  2. Are Measures Working? From your experience, do you think that the measures are currently working to help minimise the spread of COVID-19?

  3. Satisfaction: Whilst travelling on public transport, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the steps taken to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Main Findings

  • 57% are worried that they would catch Covid-19 while making a trip on bus

  • 41% are worried that they would catch Covid-19 while making a trip on tram

  • 35% are worried that they would catch Covid-19 while making a trip on train

Results for Bus

1. Bus Awareness

For bus, we have introduced the following to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 while people travel. Which, if any, are you aware of?

Awareness of Bus Measures % Aware
Keeping windows open for extra ventilation 86%
Distance markers and COVID-19 safety notices at stops 47%
Distance markers and COVID-19 safety notices on vehicles 45%
Increased general cleaning of pre/post boarding regular touchpoints (increased from pre-pandemic levels) 26%
Increased general cleaning on vehicles (increased from pre-pandemic levels) 29%
Toilets at interchanges are free to give access to handwashing facilities 23%
Free hand sanitiser available at various points for passengers 18%
Promotion of contactless and online payment to minimise the use of ticket machine 67%
Providing information/indication about how crowded vehicles are 38%
I wasn't aware of any of the above 8%

Note not all these measures are still mandatory/in place
 

2. Are Measures Working on Bus?

From your experience, do you think that the measures are currently working to help minimise the spread of COVID-19 on bus?

Bus Measures Working? % Yes
Keeping windows open for extra ventilation 60%
Distance markers and COVID-19 safety notices at stops 26%
Distance markers and COVID-19 safety notices on vehicles 28%
Increased general cleaning of pre/post boarding regular touchpoints (increased from pre-pandemic levels) 38%
Increased general cleaning on vehicles (increased from pre-pandemic levels) 42%
Toilets at interchanges are free to give access to handwashing facilities 40%
Free hand sanitiser available at various points for passengers 35%
Promotion of contactless and online payment to minimise the use of ticket machine 71%
Providing information/indication about how crowded vehicles are 39%

3. Satisfaction

Whilst travelling on bus, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the steps taken to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Bus Steps taken % Satisfied
That passengers who should be wearing a face covering while travelling are wearing one 33%
The behaviour of other passengers 27%
The ability to social distance 28%
The presence of staff 31%
How staff helped you to feel safe during your journey 21%
Your personal safety while at the bus stop 43%
Your personal safety while on the bus 31%
The level of crowding 27%
Before making your journeys, the information available to you (e.g. level of crowding, timetable) 35%
COVID-19 measures overall 31%

If you want to know more about how we’re helping people to travel safely in South Yorkshire, check out our travelling on public transport page