Two-thirds of Workers still expect to commute post-COVID

Nov 10, 2020

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of drivers still expect to drive to offices or other places of work in the future after the COVID-19 pandemic is over, new research reveals.

As part of an annual Report on Motoring by the RAC, research confirms that travel habits will most likely remain the same going forward.

road traffic

Just over one-third of drivers (36%) said they expect to work from home more frequently in the future as a result of the pandemic.

The report also found 57% of drivers say having access to a car is more important than it was before the pandemic, with reluctance to use public transport in the future at its highest level in 28 years.

Interestingly, last month's figures from the Department for Transport found the number of cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles on UK roads are increasing beyond pre-pandemic levels at different times of the week.

Light and heavy commercial vehicles were at their busiest since national lockdown was lifted and they are significantly surpassing what would be typically expected at this time of year.

Vehicle traffic

Van traffic, for example, was a fifth higher than usual, at some 121%, on Sunday September 13, while HGV usage was even higher at 123%. Both are running some 5% higher than expected volumes during weekdays.

The figures, from the Department for Transport (DfT), show car usage was also slightly above expected levels on Saturdays and Sundays at the beginning of the month. However, it was still some 5-10% down during the working week.