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Travel behaviour changes during the pandemic: Prague-Pilsen rail case study

Author

Listed:
  • Surmařová Simona

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 267/2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Vrána Martin

    (Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 267/2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Ilík Jan

    (Czech Railways, Nábřeží Ludvíka Svobody 1222, Praha 1, 110 15, Czech Republic)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of our everyday lives. Governments have taken numerous measures to contain the spread of the pandemic, which has had a direct impact on daily mobility, modal choice and the function of public transport. This study uses quantitative and qualitative data to describe how the pandemic influenced travel on the Prague-Pilsen (Praha-Plzeň) railway line. The results of the case study on the Prague-Pilsen railway line are consistent with experiences in other countries. 38% decrease in passenger numbers was found between 2019 and 2020. Although numbers are increasing again, they still have not reached the pre-pandemic level. The number of connections has also decreased by a third on average (2019 to 2020). We also conducted in-depth interviews with train passengers on the above-mentioned route. Two-thirds of passengers stated that the frequency of their journeys had not been affected by the pandemic. However, like the other participants, they described other changes caused by the pandemic. Fear of infection played an important role, and the inconvenience of overcrowding was mentioned several times. The switch from buses to trains was mentioned, as was the fact that more and more travellers prefer to travel first class. In some cases, changes in the temporality of trips were also documented. The survey suggests that respondents travel less frequently by train for systematic, functional, health or social reasons.

Suggested Citation

  • Surmařová Simona & Vrána Martin & Ilík Jan, 2022. "Travel behaviour changes during the pandemic: Prague-Pilsen rail case study," Review of Economic Perspectives, Sciendo, vol. 22(4), pages 317-332, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:reoecp:v:22:y:2022:i:4:p:317-332:n:1
    DOI: 10.2478/revecp-2022-0015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mimi Sheller & John Urry, 2000. "The City and the Car," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(4), pages 737-757, December.
    2. Eisenmann, Christine & Nobis, Claudia & Kolarova, Viktoriya & Lenz, Barbara & Winkler, Christian, 2021. "Transport mode use during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Germany: The car became more important, public transport lost ground," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 60-67.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; public transport; travel behaviour; human mobility; railway;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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