What impact does COVID-19 have on travel behaviour a year after it has passed? Evidence from Hobart, Tasmania

This study investigates the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel behaviour in Hobart, the capital of the island of Tasmania where there was no community transmission of COVID-19 for over a year. It uses a descriptive analysis of traffic volumes for three major arterial routes into Hobart and bus boardings broken down by fare type. Over a year after the last community transmission of COVID-19, traffic volumes were above 2019 levels but bus ridership was 18% below average. This suggests that cities face a long-term challenge in attracting riders back to public transport, even after the threat of COVID-19 has passed.