Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1393937
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 JULY 2021 NEWS After pandemic, 42% less likely to use public transport Survey suggests Maltese will be more disposed to work from home after pandemic, but less likely to consider moving to rural areas or use public transport JAMES DEBONO WHILE the pandemic may have increased the public's appre- ciation of open spaces and the countryside, it may well result in a greater reliance on the pri- vate car, a Europe-wide survey suggests. The Eurobarometer survey reveals that after the lifting of restrictions, 42% of Maltese re- spondents will be using public transport less than they did be- fore the onset of the pandemic. Only 27% of all respondents in the 27 EU member states gave a similar response. Significantly 34% of Maltese replied that they will be "much less likely" to use public transport compared to 16% of respondents in all mem- ber states. Only the Hungari- ans are now less inclined to use public transport then the Mal- tese. The survey conducted in April and published last week asked EU citizens whether the COV- ID-19 pandemic will change some of their behaviour, such as how frequently they work from home or use public transport. Since the pandemic was still at its peak when the interviews were held, the reluctance to use public transport could reflect an aversion to confined spac- es, which are associated with a greater risk of contagion. But a greater aversion to pub- lic transport may well result in other problems like increased congestion and pollution, which continue to erode quality of life while undermining plans to create more liveable cities through pedestrianisation. The results suggest that after the pandemic Maltese will be more disposed to work from home and visit rural areas for leisure, but less likely to consid- er moving to more rural areas and to use public transport. In an indication of greater ap- preciation of nature during the pandemic, 61% of Maltese re- plied that they are "much more likely" to visit rural areas for leisure purposes. A further 14% replied that they are "somewhat more likely" to spend more lei- sure time in the countryside. Among the EU27 only the Cypriots (67%) are now much more likely to visit rural are- as for leisure. Only 33% of all EU citizens replied that they are much more likely to visit the countryside for leisure. But while visiting the countryside is becoming a more popular activ- ity, the vast majority would not consider relocating their homes to more rural areas. The survey shows 27% of Mal- tese will be much more likely to work from home than they did before the pandemic. This may well offset the pandemic's nega- tive impact on public transport if reflected in less hours spent commuting to work. Despite Malta's small size, a significant minority still con- siders access by public trans- port to basic services to be dif- ficult. One in ten say that it is not possible to reach the near- est supermarket by bus while a further 13% say this is difficult. 25% also consider reaching the nearest doctors' surgery by bus difficult or impossible. The survey also quizzed re- spondents on issues impacting rural areas. 62% of Maltese said the priority should be that of addressing threats to the en- vironment. This reply was the most mentioned in Malta and the Netherlands (38%). The second most mentioned priority for Maltese respond- ents was improving transport infrastructure and connections (46%). This was also the most mentioned reply in 16 member states. The destruction of natural habitats or the loss of animals or plant species is identified as an immediate and urgent prob- lem by 66% of Maltese citizens whereas 18% think this is more of a problem for the future. Rising temperatures was con- sidered as an immediate and urgent problem by 49% of the Maltese compared to 58% of all European respondents. 28% of Maltese think this is more of a problem for the future. The survey was conducted before the latest heat wave hit- ting not just Malta but some of the coldest places in the plan- et like Canada which may well increase the level of urgency in addressing this global problem. When all of the current COVID-19 restrictions end, will you be more likely or less likely to do each of the following compared to before the pandemic? More Less likely likely Use public transport 32% 42% Work from home 42% 26% Consider moving to a more rural area 28% 50% Visit rural areas for leisure 75% 10%