Denver RTD survey reveals public cautious about using public transit

According to a survey administered to nearly 2,700 people earlier this month by the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), the public remains apprehensive about engaging in social activities amid the spread of the coronavirus, including riding RTD services. The majority of those who had not used transit in the past 30 days said they will take a wait-and-see approach to the pandemic before riding again.

These are some of the key findings from the survey, conducted online for a weeklong period beginning May 4. RTD collected feedback from customers to assess their attitudes surrounding the virus, including their thoughts about using transit services. A total of 2,662 people participated in the survey, which was made available on the RTD website in English and Spanish and through various social media channels. The agency will use the findings to inform its recovery efforts moving forward.

“The results align with those emerging in surveys of other industries. During this uncertain time, people naturally want to feel as safe as possible, and they want to know that RTD is doing all we can on their behalf,” said interim RTD General Manager and CEO Paul Ballard. “We respect that certain factors the public noted are beyond our control, and that they will feel comfortable returning to transit at different times, depending upon factors that are unique to their lives.”

Respondents were asked to rate six activities according to their perceived level of safeness. Riding RTD was deemed the least safe of the activities people might participate in during the pandemic, relative to the other choices provided in the survey. These were grocery shopping, visiting a drugstore or pharmacy, visiting friends, visiting family and exercising outside. .................(more)

https://www.masstransitmag.com/management/press-release/21139434/regional-transportation-district-rtd-denver-rtd-survey-reveals-public-cautious-about-using-public-transit