Traffic congestion could surge if governments don't make public transport safe to use, urban planners have warned as some COVID-19 restrictions ease and bookings of car share and ride-hailing services rebound.

“With so few people commuting to work, traffic is significantly down," said Gabriel Metcalf, chief executive of the Committee for Sydney. “But I worry that as people return to work they will be reluctant to ride public transport, and we could see a big increase in congestion.”