COVID-19 Transport Trend Data - 3 - 9 May 2021

Transport Scotland is monitoring transport trends during the COVID-19 outbreak. This information provides a snapshot of travel across main modes when compared to a pre-pandemic baseline. For most modes, this is the same period in 2019.

We use this information to inform Scottish Government policy in relation to both resilience and response. It 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. For the period 3 - 9 May 2021 we saw:

  • Walking journeys down by 30%
  • Cycling journeys down by 50%
  • Concessionary bus journeys down by 50%
  • Rail journeys down by 65%
  • Ferry journeys down by 55% (NorthLink routes only)
  • Air journeys down by 80%
  • Car journeys down by 10%

Travel is at an average of 2.3 trips per person per day. This is a decrease from an average of 2.4 trips last week.

These figures are prepared by Transport Scotland statisticians and compare actual journeys against a pre-pandemic baseline. Figures are derived from a range of sources, including the Department for Transport National Travel Survey, data published in Scottish Transport Statistics, and data collected across the transport networks from a range of partners. This information is provided by Transport Scotland under the OGL3 licence.


Published Date 14 May 2021 Type Topic