Fewer people will be using buses, trains and planes after lockdown
Fewer members of the public anticipate using buses, trains and planes after Scotland has emerged from lockdown, according to new research.
An Edinburgh Napier University survey suggests the coronavirus pandemic may have long-term repercussions for the country's public transport.
It found 42 per cent of respondents (994 Scottish residents) think they will not fly as much, with 36 per cent using buses less and 34 per cent not travelling by train .
Dr Achille Fonzone, associate professor of transport analysis and planning at Edinburgh Napier, said: "Although part of it may be due to current overexposure to discussions about infective diseases and so be transient, such lack of confidence in public transport is not good news for the industry.
"It is not good news for Scotland either, considering the importance of public transport to ensure an equitable and sustainable mobility.
"Reducing inequalities and the impact on the environment are the two top priorities of the National Transport Strategy of the Scottish Government.
"The potential loss of demand for public transport must be understood better and suitable actions must be taken as soon as possible."
Nearly half (45 per cent) of respondents expected to walk more, according to the survey, with 29 per cent expecting to cycle more. However, 25 per cent expected to drive their car more in the future than they did before the pandemic.
Lucy Downey, the report's lead author from the School of Engineering and the built environment,said :" the findings are positive for active travel, which seeks to promote healthy journeys and offer viable alternatives to the private car or public transport for short journeys and an opportunity for exercise."
The" impact of covi don travel behaviour, transport, lifestyles and location choices in Scotland" report was produced by the university's Transport Research Institute with backing from the Scottish Funding Council.
More than a fifth (21 per cent) of respondents live in households without access to a car, while 29 per cent have two or more cars at their household.
Dr Greg Fountas, from the institute, said: "A shift to private cars would hamper the efforts to drastically reduce the carbon foot print of the transport sector.