COVID-19 Public Attitudes Survey Data: Wave 17

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 Wave 17 of the survey which took place from 5 - 14 May 2021. The key findings are:

Current Behaviour

• The vast majority of respondents have left home at least once in the past 7 days (94%). This has been fairly consistent across all 17 waves and is at its highest point since the survey began.
• The main trip purposes continue to be to shop for groceries (90% leaving the house at least once) and outdoor exercise (75%). However, the prevalence of other journeys has increased since moving to Level three, notably shopping for non-essential items, and visiting someone else’s house. 
• 37% say they are travelling to work, an increase of nine percentage points on the last wave. Use of public transport for other trip purposes has increased in this wave.

Vaccination

• Having received at least one dose of the vaccine does not have a bearing on self-reported levels of compliance with current transport and travel restrictions; or concerns about using public transport due to transmission risk.
• Similarly, having received at least one dose of the vaccine does not have a bearing on future intentions such as avoidance of public transport in favour of car use.
• Advice from the Scottish Government on the safety of public transport has the most impact on whether respondents agree that they are will use public transport more than they are currently doing (40%). A third of respondents (34%) agree that they will use public transport more than they are currently doing once the majority of people have received a least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Over a quarter (28%) agree that they will use public transport more than they are currently doing once they themselves have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
• A third (33%) agree that they will use public transport more than they are currently doing once restrictions have eased fully.

Compliance

• 80% of respondents agreed that “The information and guidance on travel and transport restrictions issued by the Scottish Government has been clear”.
• The vast majority of respondents (83%) state that they are following the regulations and guidance on travel and transport completely or nearly completely. 17% state they are less compliant.
• 84% agreed with the statement “I will wear a face covering if using public transport”. 97% of those who used public transport in the past 7 days said that they wore a face covering but this is based on a small number of people (73).

Looking Ahead

• Concerns about using public transport remain high but have declined: 67% of people are very or fairly concerned about contracting or spreading the virus while using public transport; and 55% are very or fairly concerned about having enough space to observe physical distancing on public transport. 
• 41% 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”. The main reasons for avoiding public transport in rank order are the risk that others are still carrying the disease; convenience; unable to stay 1m apart; and cleanliness or hygiene on-board public transport.
• 57% agree with the statement “I will go back to doing all of the things I did before including vacations and travel”.
• 39% agree that they expect to work from home more often in the future.
• 61% agree that they will walk and cycle more.
• 47% agree that they will travel less by air than before.
• When asked when it is likely respondents are likely to travel and for a holiday or a break, 30% said Summer this year. 21% said in 2022; 19% said they did not know;  while 18% said Autumn this year.  13% said Spring this year.