Report Summary
“COVID-19 has been particularly disruptive for transport, but offers a chance to reset the dial and build a more sustainable, integrated 21st century network. The car has become a cocoon for many people during the pandemic with the challenge of encouraging a shift towards public transit becoming more difficult. The pandemic has also been a catalyst for a number of permanent changes in living and working patterns, which will help to reshape transport use. Active travel has moved up a gear during this period and will aid in re-designing how consumers move around their local communities and beyond.”
– Andrew Zmijak, Research Analyst, Consumer Behaviour
This Report looks at the following areas:
- The impact of COVID-19 on commuting and, more specifically, public transit, car-sharing services, ride-hailing services, taxis, bike-sharing services, car usage and ownership, as well as active travel.
- How the market for commuting and modes of transportation will fare post-COVID-19.
- Usage and changes of transportation modes since the beginning of COVID-19, most important factors for commuting, changes in driving habits, attitudes towards driving and commuting. Additionally, sentiment around the future of commuting after COVID-19 is explored.
- The challenges the market faces, market factors impacting the category, marketing and advertising campaigns, as well as innovations and trends in the market.
Table of Contents
-
Overview
- What you need to know
- Key issues covered in this Report
- COVID-19: Canadian context
- What you need to know
-
Executive Summary
-
- Top takeaways
- Market overview
- Impact of COVID-19 on commuting
- Summary
- Figure 1: Short, medium and long-term impact of COVID-19 on commuting, 2021
- Opportunities
- Many are taking the active route and walking and biking more
- Men are drawn to eco-conscious vehicles
- The exodus from the cities
- Challenges
- Consumers see the benefits of commuting less or not at all
- Commuters are a picky bunch
- Consumers look to walk more post-pandemic
-
-
The Market – Key Takeaways
- Economic conditions are steadily improving but have a way to go
- Transportation 2030
- Gasoline prices continue to rise
- Housing prices climb during the pandemic
- Demand for used cars swells
- Economic conditions are steadily improving but have a way to go
-
Market Factors
- Economic conditions are steadily improving but have a way to go
- Figure 2: Canadian unemployment rate, 2020-21
- Transportation 2030
- Going green
- Gasoline prices continue to rise
- Figure 3: Average retail prices for regular gasoline in Canada, by week, 2020-21 (September)
- Housing prices climb during the pandemic
- Demand for used cars swells
- Figure 4: Clutch Canada Instagram post, 2021
- Economic conditions are steadily improving but have a way to go
-
Key Players – Key Takeaways
- Transit authorities taking safety measures to a new level
- Active transport as a means to boost health and fitness
- Escape from the city
- Employers should expect a hybrid work model to flourish post-pandemic
- E-bikes can act as longer-term alternatives to mass transit
- Transit authorities taking safety measures to a new level
-
Competitive Strategies
- Transit authorities taking safety measures to a new level
- Figure 5: Enhanced cleaning | OC Transpo return to service, 2020
-
- Figure 6: TTC Instagram post, 2021
- Active transport as a means to boost health and fitness
- Escape from the city
- Bringing back ridership
- Figure 7: Go Transit Travel Agency, 2021
-
- Figure 8: TTC Welcome Back – 30 sec OLV, 2021
- Transit authorities taking safety measures to a new level
-
Market Opportunities
- Employers should expect a hybrid work model to flourish post-pandemic
- Figure 9: Bike Share Toronto Instagram post, 2021
- E-bikes can act as longer-term alternatives to mass transit
- Figure 10: Yulu Instagram post, 2021
- Employers should expect a hybrid work model to flourish post-pandemic
-
The Consumer – Key Takeaways
- Aside from driving one’s own vehicle, many have commuted by walking
- Canadians are walking more, whereas public transit usage drops sharply
- Convenience tops the list
- Over half of consumers were driving less
- Most believe less commuting has led to environmental benefits
- A third will walk more to get somewhere post-pandemic
- Aside from driving one’s own vehicle, many have commuted by walking
-
Mode of Commute
- Aside from driving one’s own vehicle, many have commuted by walking
- Figure 11: Mode of transportation used in the past 12 months, 2021
- Men are more inclined towards active forms of commuting
- Figure 12: Mode of transportation used in the past 12 months, men vs women, 2021
-
- Figure 13: Go Transit Instagram post, 2021
- Those on the younger side more likely to have used a variety of options
- Figure 14: Mode of transportation used in the past 12 months, by age, 2021
- South Asian Canadians rely on public transportation
- Figure 15: Mode of transportation used in the past 12 months, South Asian Canadians* vs overall, 2021
-
- Figure 16: Most important factors for commuting, South Asian Canadians* vs overall, 2021
-
- Figure 17: Bike Share Toronto Instagram post, 2021
- Figure 18: Bike Share Toronto Instagram post, 2021
- Urban dwellers have more options to get around
- Figure 19: Mode of transportation used in the past 12 months, by type of area, 2021
- Aside from driving one’s own vehicle, many have commuted by walking
-
Change in Method of Commuting
- Canadians are walking more whereas public transit usage drops sharply
- Figure 20: Change in method of commuting in the past 12 months, 2021
-
- Figure 21: Apple Fitness+ Instagram post, 2021
-
- Figure 22: Uber Instagram post, 2020
- Despite a drop in vehicle usage, younger groups are optimistic about driving
-
- Figure 23: Attitudes towards driving, 18-34s vs overall, 2021
- Canadians are walking more whereas public transit usage drops sharply
-
Most Important Factors when Commuting
- Convenience tops the list
- Figure 24: Most important factors for commuting, 2021
- Younger women are seeking convenience
- Figure 25: Convenience-related factors for commuting, by age and gender, 2021
- Safe and reliable are key to drawing women
- Figure 26: Safety and reliability related factors for commuting, by age and gender, 2021
-
- Figure 27: How to Share Your Trip with Trusted Contacts | Safety at Uber | Uber, 2019
- The three Cs: cost, cleanliness and comfort
- Figure 28: Cost, comfort and cleanliness of commuting, by age and gender, 2021
- Let’s not forget about the environment
- Figure 29: Zipcar Instagram post, 2020
- Students might be broke, but they still want clean transit
- Figure 30: Most important factors for commuting, students vs non-students, 2021
- Convenience tops the list
-
Changes in Driving Habits due to COVID-19
- Over half of consumers were driving less
- Figure 31: Change in driving habits due to COVID-19, 2021
- Who was driving more?
- Figure 32: Change in driving habits due to COVID-19, by age, 2021
- Over half of consumers were driving less
-
Car Ownership and Driving
- Men are drawn to eco-conscious vehicles
- Figure 33: Attitudes towards driving, men vs women, 2021
- Men are drawn to eco-conscious vehicles
-
Attitudes towards Commuting
- Most believe less commuting has led to environmental benefits
- Figure 34: Attitudes towards the effects of less commuting or not at all (% agree), 2021
-
- Figure 35: Attitudes towards commuting after COVID-19 (% agree), 2021
- Less commuting frees up time to do more
-
- Figure 36: Attitudes towards commuting and lifestyle changes (% agree), 2021
- The pandemic has motivated active modes of travel
- Figure 37: Select attitudes towards commuting (% agree), 2021
- Most believe less commuting has led to environmental benefits
-
The Future of Commuting
- A third will walk more to get somewhere post-pandemic
- Figure 38: Future of transportation (% agree), 2021
-
- Figure 39: RedSky Medical post, 2021
- Younger consumers plan on walking more but will also take pre-cautions with other modes
- Figure 40: Future of transportation (% agree), by age, 2021
- A third will walk more to get somewhere post-pandemic
-
Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations
- Data sources
- Consumer survey data
- Mintel Trend Drivers
- Consumer qualitative research
- Abbreviations and terms
- Abbreviations
- Data sources
Why Mintel?
Gain access to high quality market research with every purchase of Mintel’s consumer reports. Here's what else you can expect when buying from us:
Mintel’s Clients Portal
After your purchase is completed, you’ll receive an invitation to join Mintel’s Clients Portal which provides instant access to supplementary insights from Mintel’s industry experts.
Multiple Report Formats
Mintel’s reports are available in PDF and PPT formats, and arrive in your inbox alongside an excel datasheet, so you can share Mintel’s market intelligence with ease.
Interactive Databook
Mintel’s bespoke consumer data is presented as an interactive website, so you can deep dive into your chosen topic, explore demographics and download specific statistics.
Custom Presentations
Using Mintel’s custom presentation tool, you can easily incorporate selected research data and analysis into a tailor-made presentation to win over clients and stakeholders.
Browse our sample PDF report below:
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables in this sample report have been redacted.
Trusted by companies. Big and small.
