COVID-19 measures on public transport in South Yorkshire - survey findings available
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:
- Awareness: We have introduced the following to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 while people travel. Which, if any, are you aware of?
- Are Measures Working? From your experience, do you think that the measures are currently working to help minimise the spread of COVID-19?
- 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