Public Transit Riders’ Perceptions and Experience of Safety: COVID-19 Lessons from Edmonton

Abstract

This study aims to understand who and under what circumstances is more likely to travel and feel safe using public transit in Edmonton, Canada, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, by analyzing data from an online survey conducted during the summer of 2020. We provide empirical evidence that an individual better informed about the measures Edmonton Transit Service is taking to ensure physical distancing and meet the health and safety concerns of riders is more likely to feel safe using public transit. It is recommended that transit agencies continuously communicate with riders regarding ongoing efforts to promote the health and safety of all users.