AlphaVu opinion poll sheds light on what riders need to boost confidence in returning to transit

AlphaVu recently conducted a nationwide public opinion poll to better understand public reaction to transit operations during the pandemic. Adults (18+) were surveyed across the United States to learn more about their riding habits before and during the pandemic; understand which safety, cleanliness and hygiene measures are most important to riders and potential riders and discover the best ways for transit system to build trust and confidence in the system as people return to more normal travel.

Key findings include:

• 70 percent of respondents view transit as an essential service.

• One-third of those who are still riding during the pandemic are doing so to access healthcare services. Another 21 percent are essential workers.

• The top three most important safety and hygiene measures are: seeing workers regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces (76 percent); knowing employees are being tested regularly (72 percent); and seeing masks on customers and operators (72 percent).

• 23 percent will return to riding when they are confident in the safety and cleanliness of transit; another 22 percent say they won’t return until they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The public understands transit is an essential community service. That debate should now be over,” said Scott Wilkinson, CEO of AlphaVu and principal researcher. “As systems implement restoration and recovery plans, it’s important to be very proactive in communicating the steps they are taking with regard to safety, cleanliness and hygiene as well as reinforcing overall value to the community. This is especially true for those hit hardest by the economic losses who may be apprehensive about using transit but who may now have fewer choices available to them.”

The survey included 867 complete cases, representing a +/- 2.9 percent margin of error at the 95 percent confidence interval.