Women’s transportation choice behavior in the era before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic: case study of Tehran

Public transit systems worldwide have experienced dramatic declines in ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic due to health concerns and social distancing mandates. Understanding shifting transportation preferences and rebuilding rider confidence, especially among women who comprise a major transit demographic, is critical for post-pandemic recovery. This study analyzed the impact of the pandemic on female public transportation usage trends and mode preferences in Tehran across pre-pandemic, peak pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. A Longitudinal survey captured self-reported ridership data from 352 women on weekly usage duration of subways, taxis, buses and private vehicles across the periods of interest. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses identified pandemic-attributed shifts. Results show that all transit modes saw severely curtailed demand during pandemic peak (decreases of 37–71% vs pre-pandemic), while private vehicle usage spiked 160%. In the post-pandemic period, some public transportation recovery occurred but at levels still 37–43% below baseline, while private vehicle use remained 57% higher than pre-pandemic norms. Age-based analysis also revealed some notable cohort differences. In conclusion, the data exhibits both acute and potentially sustained shifts away from public transportation due to pandemic influences among the female rider demographic. Further research into reassuring transit hesitant groups and restoring rider confidence is warranted, especially given the critical role of women in ridership numbers and peak period demand. Targeted outreach and safety messaging also should consider differential responses across age and user segments evident in the data.