Top 10 transport and travel news in the year of the pandemic
Indeed, there were many disruptions, casualties and adjustments that we all went through this year. Because of this pandemic, our way of travelling and transporting will never be the same again. There were many realizations and lessons learned. Hopefully, once the lockdowns are lifted, such lessons are not forgotten and the necessary rectifications in how we conduct our businesses on the road would be in place.
This can be the year that never was, with many disruptions, casualties and adjustments in our way of life. Among the most affected was the transport and travel sector. Here is my list of the top 10 transport-related news in this year of the pandemic:
1. Global travel comes to a standstill: With the world realizing the seriousness of the virus, countries went on lockdown, barring initially travel to and from China, then later on, other countries, as the virus spread. The airline industry was the hardest hit with more than 90 percent of flights cancelled at one time. Maritime was equally disrupted with cruise ships unwelcome in many ports, then later on parked for an indefinite period. Economists predict years for the industry to rebound even after the pandemic ends.
2. The emergence of micro-transport: As people shunned crowds, public transport became a casualty. This led to the increase in the usage of individual mobility devices, most especially bikes and scooters, as well as people walking. This will have an impact on future urban design and transport policies of many governments.
3. Price of gasoline drops: With people travelling less, the price of gasoline dramatically dropped, signaling what maybe the beginning of the end of the oil era. At the same time, this served as an opportunity to push for alternative energy. Fuel-related stocks plummeted while alternative transport and energy companies saw an increase in value.
4. Surge of online deliveries: This year saw a massive increase of close to 50 percent in online deliveries as most of us stayed home. Online delivery services fulfilled the need for our basic necessities. This contributed as well to the survival of many business establishments that otherwise would have closed shop and jobs to many displaced workers.
5. The rise of the pre-transport checks: As public transport resumed slowly, safety travel measures were implemented. This included the mandatory wearing of face masks, disinfection of vehicles, temperature checks, health registrations and Covid tests were required before any form of travel.
6. The 15-minute city model: In the same manner that past pandemics reshaped cities then, this pandemic will give rise to the micro-cities where most of the needed supplies and services will be housed within the confines of communities, making survival better in in any future lockdowns.
7. Realizing the importance of domestic food security: From a global economy that heavily relied on global trade to provide the basic food necessities, the lockdown forced governments to rethink their food security. Future policies are expected to be supportive of domestic food production, including encouraging investments in agriculture and cold chain and storage facilities.
8. The push for cashless transactions: With the fear of transmission via human contact, cashless transactions became the norm to include public transport payments as well as tollway entries. In some cases, this caused much initial inconvenience to many, as transport systems were unprepared. Future technologies are expected to make such transactions seamless for the users.
9. The work-from-home norm: As most of us were forced to stay in our homes, normal daily activities such as work, shopping, schooling, health checks and even our religious obligations were fulfilled online. There were difficulties initially, but eventually people adjusted. And with better technologies, work-from-home and doing activities from home is expected to become part of the new normal.
10. The rise of domestic tourism: With most international travel limited, interest increased in domestic tourism, even with the many restrictions before one can visit the local attractions. Hopefully, once international lockdowns are lifted, such tourism appreciation will remain, thus helping domestic tourism as well as limiting unnecessary international travel that cause much carbon emissions into our already damaged atmosphere.
Indeed, there were many disruptions, casualties and adjustments that we all went through this year. Because of this pandemic, our way of travelling and transporting will never be the same again. There were many realizations and lessons learned. Hopefully, once the lockdowns are lifted, such lessons are not forgotten and the necessary rectifications in how we conduct our businesses on the road would be in place.
Thomas “Tim” Orbos is currently a transport policy advisor for an international organization and worked in government on transport and urban development matters. He is an alumnus of Georgetown University and the MIT Sloan School of Management. He can be reached via e-mail at tmo45@ georgetown.edu/thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu