Due to COVID-19, nearly two-thirds of employees in London wish to change the way they travel to work.
According to Addison Lee, a London-based private hire taxi and courier company, 60 per cent of workers desire to change the way they commute to work because of COVID-19. Over half (55 per cent) plan to change the times when they commute to avoid peak hours.
As well as 49 per cent planning to use their own vehicle, which is an increase from 23 per cent pre-pandemic levels. Nearly a third (28 per cent) now plan to complete part of their journey on foot. With 40 per cent aiming to use private hire vehicles as part of their journey.
Due to rules being implemented that it is now mandatory to wear face masks whilst using public transport, 69 per cent of London commuters now feel anxious about the idea of using the capital’s transport. Almost three-quarters (72 per cent) said they are going to avoid using the tubes during there commute unless essential. Thew research also found that 70 per cent are concerned their colleagues are using public transport.
Addison Lee is asking the London COVID-19 Transition Board, set up to coordinate London’s transition from lockdown to recovery, co-chaired by Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and Robert Jenrick, Housing Secretary to make the safe return to work a priority and actively work with all the capital’s transport providers on a common set of safety standards.
Liam Griffin, CEO of Addison Lee, said:
Our research shows a clear shift away from commuting on public transport due to safety concerns. To ensure that all modes of transport can play their part in helping Londoners back to work safely and in a manner that supports the environment, we need a common set of safety standards that give consumers confidence to travel, no matter who the provider is. Addison Lee wants to work with the London COVID-19 Transition Board and other stakeholders to agree this and help our capital back to work.
When asked what would make you feel more comfortable whilst commuting, employees from London said:
- 80 per cent said private hire vehicles should be allowed to install safety screens to protect drivers and passengers
- 69 per cent said regular disinfection of public transport
- 65 per cent said the enforcement of social distancing
- 65 per cent said the installation of partition screens in trains, buses and tubes
- 62 per cent said readily available hand sanitiser on public transport
This research was gathered by asking 1,000 London commuters.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.