Longer term impacts of covid work disruptions on remote working and trip substitution in Cape Town

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic initiated an unprecedented uptake in remote work, and multiple studies have documented the impact lockdown restrictions had on travel behaviour in the short-term. The longer-term impacts of COVID work disruptions on remote working and on commuting behaviour are, however, less understood, particularly in South Africa. This paper: (1) explores the opportunities for, and extent of, remote and flexible work in Cape Town; (2) identifies changes in commuting time and distance; and (3) explores what motivates commuting choices and willingness to change. The paper draws from the results of an online employee survey distributed to selected large employer organisations in Cape Town (n=2 714). The results reveal that there is an enduring practice of remote working after the pandemic. The mean number of days worked at home per week in 2024 ranged between 0.7 and 1.7 for the different organisations who participated in the survey. More senior technical job positions were found to work from home more frequently than more junior administrative positions. COVID-19 was clearly a catalyst for the adoption of remote working adoption practices in the city, and associated trip substitution. Greatest shifts in commuting time and vehicle kilometres travelled were observed amongst private transport users. The survey suggests that many employees, across all job positions, value remote working, and would increase the practice if permitted to do so.