How have ride-sourcing users adapted to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic? evidence from a survey-based study of the Greater Toronto Area

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered day-to-day life worldwide, including the perceived risks associated with travel. Ride-sourcing can augment the mobility of those without access to private vehicles and who are reluctant to use public transit. Using data from a web-based survey, this study investigates the influence of the first wave of the pandemic on ride-sourcing use in the Greater Toronto Area. Among pre-pandemic ride-sourcing users, 18% use ride-sourcing more frequently during the pandemic, while 54% are using it less frequently. From the econometric model, the most notable finding is that several attributes that influenced ride-sourcing frequency pre-pandemic did not affect ride-sourcing frequency during the pandemic. Attitudinal factors were also found to influence ride-sourcing frequency. The results suggest that the pandemic has had a short-term effect on the frequency of ride-sourcing usage; however, further research is required to determine whether COVID-19 will have long-term impacts on ride-sourcing usage.