Investigating the Impact of Public Transport Usage Behaviors on Air Pollution After Covid-19

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted urban life, including long-lasting changes in public transportation usage patterns. This study investigates how behavioral shifts in public transport ridership after the pandemic have influenced urban air quality. Materials and Methods: The research analyzed data from eight major European cities: Paris, Berlin, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Madrid, Istanbul, and London. A Public Transport Usage Index (PTUI) was developed based on five key behavioral factors affecting public transport use post-COVID. The relationship between this index and air quality was statistically examined by calculating the correlation between PTUI and the post-pandemic Air Quality Index (AQI). Results: A strong negative correlation (r = -0.9304) was identified between the PTUI and AQI, indicating that increased public transport use is associated with improved air quality. All cities showed this trend, except Berlin, where the pattern deviated. Notably, cities with higher PTUI scores experienced more significant reductions in pollution indicators such as PM2.5 and NO2. Discussion: These results underscore the role of sustainable public transport usage in mitigating urban air pollution. The findings align with existing literature emphasizing modal shift as a key strategy in urban environmental improvement. However, the study is limited by potential variations in data reporting standards across cities and by short-term observational scope. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that post-pandemic behavioral changes in public transport usage have had a measurable impact on urban air quality. The findings offer valuable insight for urban planners and policymakers seeking to design resilient, health-conscious transportation systems that support long-term environmental sustainability. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Bentham Open.