HVT calls for collective action for COVID-19 response for transport systems in low-income countries

One of the most visible changes through the current COVID-19 pandemic is happening on our streets. Many observations can be made, including the ones below:

• Depending on the restrictions in each country, overall traffic has reduced between 30% and 85%.
• The use of public transport has significantly decreased worldwide due to the higher level of infection risk. At the same time, in cities such as New York, the number of cyclists is going up.
• In many cities, ride hailing services are being offered for free to health workers and other essential services, which keeps our cities working.
• Some cities, like Bogota, have responded to the changing transport infrastructure needs by allocating more space to bike lanes.
• While the aviation sector is almost at a standstill, maritime shipment has not been reduced significantly, although ports are struggling to handle the goods due to the rules and regulations.
• The drop in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions has highlighted the importance of transport in the context of climate change mitigation.
• Issues around freight and food security in low-income countries are emerging. International borders are closing and the price of everyday food items are soaring at a time when the poor are least able to afford it due to the lockdown.
• Disproportionately large numbers of transport workers have been infected by the virus while providing essential services.
• Transport operators and infrastructure concessionaires will face liquidity and potential insolvency if transport demand does not return to its pre-COVID-19 levels.
• Informal transport operators in many low-income countries are facing a 100% revenue loss.

The crucial work of all the dedicated local and national employees in the health and the transport sectors – particularly on the freight and public transport side – needs to be acknowledged.
We should also recognise that in the current situation it is even more important to collect and share knowledge and analysis and provide guidance for the transport sector to manage these challenges. Therefore, many transport-related international institutions and initiatives responded very fast by sharing information, providing guidance and contributing to improving knowledge to support countries deal with COVID-19.

With so much information disseminated, the aim of this report is to share an overview of how international stakeholders in the transport sector are responding. It will also identify gaps and call for more coordinated action. In these fast-changing times, it is obvious that the report will only be able to reference a limited amount of published information and will already be out-of-date by when it is published. Therefore, comments and sharing of additional thoughts and information are more than welcome.
A further report will be issued in due course to reflect any comments and reactions received.