The evolving impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on public transportation in Ghana

BACKGROUND: People's mobility improves as a result of transportation, allowing for greater accessibility. However, the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, has had a significant effect on mobility and accessibility to public transport. OBJECTIVES: Looking at the nature of public transports in Ghana with passengers sitting close to each other coupled with the restrictions on mobility, this paper sought to investigate the effect of the pandemic on public transportation in Ghana. METHOD: The study attempts to use an online and paper-based questionnaire that included questions on usual mode of transportation, usual mode of public transportation prior to and throughout the time of COVID-19, factors influencing public transport mode option prior to and throughout the time of COVID-19 from 1005 commuters. Statistical analysis included descriptive analysis and in addition quantitative comparative analysis. Non-parametric tests were used for inferential statistical analysis. To understand whether usual mode of transportation has evolved due to COVID-19, Wilcoxon signed-ranked test was used to contrast factors influencing mode option prior to and throughout the time of COVID-19. RESULTS: Results explained that the major impact of COVID-19 on public transportation were social distancing and increase in the cost of transportation. There was a sharp decline in the use of para transit services with high occupancy such as “trotro” to the use of taxis. Commuters considered physical distancing, occupants wearing face masks, cleanliness of vehicle and safety from traffic accidents as essential factors influencing public transport mode choice during COVID-19. The results of the cross-tabulation analysis, which looked at the relationship between the effect of COVID-19 on transportation and the effect of COVID-19 on social, economic and religious activities showed these variables were insignificant, X(2) (2, N = 1005) = 3.057, p = .217. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the study findings, some recommendations were made for policymakers and stakeholders in the transport industry in order to make it much safer and conducive to travel on public transport in a pandemic in the country.