The COVID-19 Pandemic's Impacts On Post-Secondary International Students' Public Transit Usage In The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and The Greater Vancouver Area (GVA)

This master's thesis investigates the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public transit usage of post-secondary international students (PSIS) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA). The research aims to understand the diverse experiences of PSIS while using public transit in these two regions, explore their specific needs and challenges in transit utilization, and assess how universities can support PSIS by facilitating their use of public transit. The study adopts transportation studies, education, and sociology disciplines, employing a mixed-methods research approach, incorporating qualitative and quantitative research methods. The findings indicate that PSIS have concerns about long travel duration, safety, and expensive transit fees. The GVA's U-Pass program makes public transit access more affordable than that in the GTA. These insights underscore the tailored support from universities and policymakers to enhance PSIS experiences with public transit, which is significant in PSIS development.