COVID-19 Public Attitudes Survey Data: Wave 2

Transport Scotland is monitoring public attitudes to transport and travel during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are doing this through a telephone survey carried out on our behalf with a representative sample of over 16s across Scotland. This information provides the key findings from the survey. This information is used to gain an understanding of the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting current travel behaviour and intentions for future travel in Scotland. This information cannot be used to determine compliance with government guidance relating to non-essential travel in isolation. Police Scotland hold information in relation to penalty notices issued under emergency legislation. These findings are for the second wave of the survey which took place from 18-25 May 2020. The key findings are:

Current behaviour:

• The majority of people have left home at least once in the past 7 days (84%).
• The main trip purposes continue to be to shop for essential items or groceries and (84% leaving the house at least once) and outdoor exercise (79%).
• People remain more likely to shop for essential items less frequently (1-3 times a week) whereas they are more likely to take part in outdoor exercise more frequently (6-7 times per week).
• Private car or van remains the main mode of transport used across all trip purposes in the past 7 days. For those still travelling to work, 76% indicate that they are travelling by car or van (down 10 percentage points on wave one); 14% have used active modes (up 8 points); while 6% have said that they used public transport (no change).
• Prior to lockdown, car or private van was the main mode of transport used by respondents. However, 62% say they are using car or van less since lockdown restrictions came into effect and 8% are walking or wheeling more than they did prior to lockdown.
• Concerns about using public transport are high. 82% of people are very or fairly concerned about contracting or spreading the virus while using public transport; and 78% are very or fairly concerned about having enough space to observe physical distancing on public transport.
• Currently, people are more likely to: use contactless payments (54%); exercise outside the home by walking (53%); contact family and friends by phone, video call or texting apps (52%); use conference calls and video call to communicate with colleagues, customers and clients (48%); and shop closer to home (46%) compared to before restrictions were put in place.

Looking ahead:

• Half (50%) agree with the statement “I will avoid public transport and use my car or other vehicle more than I did before when restrictions on transport are lifted”. This is consistent with wave one (49%).
• The main reasons for avoiding public transport are the risk that others are still carrying the disease; and unable to stay 2m apart.
• 45% agree with the statement “If social distancing on public transport was in place, I would be more likely to use public transport” (not previously asked)
• 54% agree with the statement “I will travel less by air than before when restrictions on transport are lifted” (up 3 points on wave 1)
• 47% agree with the statement “I will go back to doing all of the things I did before including vacations and travel” (consistent with wave 1 - 48%)
• 64% agree with the statement “I will walk and cycle more when restrictions on transport are lifted” (consistent with wave 1 - 63%)
• In the next three months, 41% would be very or fairly likely to book at least one leisure trip in Scotland (down 4 points on wave 1) ; 27% would be very or fairly likely to book at least one leisure trip in the rest of the UK (down 4 points on wave 1); 12% would be very or fairly likely to travel by air abroad (down 6 points on wave 1); while 8% would be very or fairly likely to travel by air in the UK (no change).