Analysis of urban transport in the period before and during the Covid-19 pandemic – a case study

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyze and evaluate public transportation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The research problem is to what extent the operations of a public transportation company changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Main hypothesis: actions taken by the urban transportation company caused positive changes in transportation operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The method used in the article is a case study, analysis of internal company data and method of a document examination. Findings: At Miejski Zaklad Transportu Sp. z o.o. (MZK) Koszalin (MTC) during the COVID-19 pandemic, current liabilities increased to 9,392.51 thousand PLN in 2019 and decreased by 26.49 percent in 2020 during the pandemic, and operating expenses decreased by 4.91 percent, including material and energy consumption by 18.49 percent. The level of inventories remained constant. Due to increased losses of 67.97 percent Research limitations/implications: Difficult access to data/extension of the research period. Practical implications: The company took measures for passenger’s safety like purchasing ticket machines. It is necessary to continuously modify existing lines and launch four new lines to three neighboring municipalities. Social implications: Increasing safety and accessibility for passengers, improving the quality of life of residents. Originality/value: The article shows the phenomenon and scale of public transport in the era of a pandemic. Similar situations may occur with other social, economic or geopolitical threats (crises).