New research has shown 1 in 5 Australians are turning away from public transport and ride-sharing apps, citing COVID-19 fears, with no safe, pandemic plan in place
One of the mast fascinating aspects about the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia has been the changes that it has wrought on our mobility and transportation, with growing numbers of Australians less likely to engage in public transport or ridesharing services for their daily transport needs.
That is the view of leading Australian EV charge point operator Bell Resources, who has found a growing number of Australians are now looking to make the switch to zero emissions on their daily commute.
What that has meant is ride-sharing apps like Uber and DiDi are beginning to fall out of favour with everyday Australians who need a better and COVID-safe solution for their daily transport needs.
Bell Resources, an Australian owned and operated start-up, aims to supply sustainable energy and resources to the EV and ride-sharing markets in Australia and US.
Their CEO and founder Mark Avery believes we are at a critical inflection point. Avery said the shifting advice around restricted local government areas and rising case numbers mean more and more Australians are finding alternatives to their daily commute.
“Public transport has seen an 80% decline in ridership since COVID-19 hit, particularly with the current lockdown measures across the country and people do not feel safe without a pandemic plan in place,” Mr Avery said.
The figures paint a clear picture around changes to public transport use
In a study of 3000 Australians, TransGrid’s Urban Mobility Trends Report found that - in the wake of the pandemic - one in five (22%) said they expected to decrease their use of public transport even after the risk of COVID-19 had passed.
Additionally, almost one in ten (8%) more people living within metropolitan areas plan to drive to work every day post-pandemic, the report found.
Avery said it's clear that more and more Australians are making conscious choices to make the switch to electric vehicles.
“What we have seen is the rise of electric vehicle sales in Australia with almost 9000 already sold this year and expected to hit 25,000 plus by next year as more and more Australians turn to private vehicle use during the pandemic and make the switch to a zero emissions future,” he said.
TransGrid’s report concluded the leading cause for public transport’s decreasing popularity is safety fears, with trains and buses taking a 72% nosedive in daily users across Australian cities.
Research from Roy Morgan found that movement levels in the two largest cities of Sydney and Melbourne remain at only a fraction of pre-pandemic levels in late August as both cities endure extended Winter lockdowns which are set to continue well into September and even October.
In late August, average movement levels in the Sydney CBD were at only 12% of pre-pandemic averages and at only 13% of pre-pandemic levels in the Melbourne CBD. Movement levels in both cities is slightly above the record low of 8% reached in both cities in late July.
Rideshare giant Uber, in partnership with Accenture, revealed in a report last month that two years on from the start of the pandemic, total ridership figures were still in significant decline due to COVID fears and restrictions.
Total active Uber rideshare workers in Australia were 25% below pre-COVID levels in 2019, meaning a significant decrease in revenue with major losses to their mobility segment.
Bell Resources aims to introduce Bell Hub Central to carwashes and purpose-built facilities as a one-stop-shop for Australia’s ridesharing, electric and autonomous vehicle market.
Bell Hubs will offer ultra-fast EV charging as well as deep cleaning services of sensors, cameras, and interiors in compliance with Bell’s COVID-safety and standard protocols.
Bell Hubs will work closely with local ride-share operators and provide a superior solution as a partner of choice with the next fleet of vehicles coming through.
Avery believes Bell Hub Central will kickstart a conversation amongst Australians to make the switch to EVs for safety and sustainability post-pandemic, with plans for the first site to be unveiled in Q1 of next year.
“At Bell, we’re driving Australia’s transition towards a green-led future and that future has to be consistent with a pandemic plan for the vehicles of tomorrow,” Avery said.
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Bell ResourcesCategory: Green Technology Solar LED Wind Profile: Bell Resources is an Australian owned and operated start-up that aims to supply sustainable energy and resources to the EV and ridesharing markets in Australia and the US. Founded in July 2017 in Sydney, Australia by CEO and managing director Mark Avery, Bell Resources plans to be the first to market with an Australia-wide network of Ultra-fast EV Charging Stations. Bell Resources’ mission is to accelerate the transition of the transportation sector to sustainable energy.&n ...
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