Public transport faces post-pandemic challenge

Public transport operators and high street shops will still face an uphill battle for customers after the coronavirus crisis is over, new research suggests.

More than half of public transport users say they will continue to avoid trains and buses after the pandemic is over, according to a survey by the Co-op.

The survey of over 2,100 people for the Co-op's annual ‘Ethical Consumerism Report revealed issues such as congestion and personal space appear to be affecting people's willingness to travel again on trains and buses.

The research also indicated that the boom in online shopping and home deliveries seen during the crisis – and a sharp rise in local shopping – is set to continue.

Thriftiness will also be a major trend in 2021, with over a third of shoppers say they will buy more second-hand products, the report said.

Jo Whitfield, chief executive of Co-op Food, said: "The Co-op has tracked ethical spending for two decades and this barometer on ethical purchases shows a remarkable shift.

"Sustainable shopping has moved from being a niche market to an area of big spend.

"A s g ro w t h c o nt i n u e s , threats will naturally exist due to the economic impact of the pandemic, but through a challenging environment, opportunities will open up."

The report found that the pandemic sparked a big interest in cycling with a surge in demand for bikes.

It also tracked changes in consumer shopping habits since1999,withincreasedsales of food such as free-range eggs and plant-based products.

Hybrid and electric cars account for the biggest growth in ethical spending, the report stated.