The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has reshaped urban transport across Asia and the Pacific. In the wake of the virus, many Asian cities banned or severely restricted public transport usage, forcing travelers to switch to alternative non-motorized or private forms of transport. Shops closed down for months, resulting in a massive increase in e-commerce and growth in light good vehicles to make deliveries.

As cities start to open up, the time is ripe for a modernization program focusing on clean public transport and light duty delivery vehicles. Failure to do so will result in a bigger pollution and congestion mess than before the pandemic.

Asia’s motor vehicle fleets have been doubling in size every 5-7 years. Aside from congestion problems, which can cost an economy around 2 percent-5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) annually, motor vehicles are responsible for up to 80 percent of air pollution in urban Asia.