Regional Differences in the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Demand for Bus Transport in the Slovak Republic

Abstract

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic and the anti-pandemic measures taken have significantly affected the activities of the society and the associated need for mobility, as well as the transport behaviour of inhabitants. The goal of this research is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the change in the demand of residents for suburban bus transport (SBT) services in the regions of Slovakia. Due to the impact of the pandemic of COVID-19, there was a decrease in the number of passengers transported by SBT as well as a decrease in the supply of bus services offered in all the regions under study. The decrease in the number of passengers in the pandemic year was caused not only by COVID-19 and the anti-pandemic measures, but also by the reduction in the supply of SBT. The research confirmed the relation between the reduction in the offer of SBT and the decrease in passenger demand.