The spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its associated disease (COVID-19) into a global pandemic has evolved rapidly during the first half of 2020, impacting every facet of life – public transport is no exception.
As previously unimaginable steps taken by national governments resulted in large-scale lockdowns and quarantines, ridership figures have fallen to unimaginably low levels. Systems have performed heroically in the most difficult of circumstances as associated revenues have fallen, yet in almost all cases they have continued to operate, serving key workers and those performing the tasks most essential to the functioning of society.
The long-term effects are still unknown, but in this paper Mainspring set out some of the responses from authorities and operators across the globe in an attempt to share best practice and lessons. They also highlight a few key areas for consideration as we all seek to rebuild for the future.
The data within this paper is taken from a wider range of sources, including:
• Tramways & Urban Transit (the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated to light and urban rail)
• Published guidelines and papers from transport associations, trade bodies
• Local and national government updates
• Local and national news reports
• One-to-one interviews with operators, authorities and supply chain partners around the world.
The full paper can be read here
ME_Global LRT pandemic responses_0620
