Hidden cost of COVID-19 revealed

Research shows Australian workers heading back to the office are bearing the brunt of a hidden rise in living costs as a result of social distancing.

Aussie workers are getting stung as they head back to the office.

New research from Finder.com.au has shown that workers are shunning cheaper forms of transport for more expensive methods post lockdown.

Data from more than 7000 users of the Finder app showed their spending on public transport had plunged by more than 92 per cent in May this year compared to last year, while spending on driving and ride sharing has surged 44 per cent and nine per cent respectively.

Public transport use dropped dramatically in May.

The rise in workers driving to the office has led to an increase in spending on petrol, tolls and parking.

According to the data, commuters spent 46 per cent more on petrol in May this year than 2019, despite petrol prices plunging to some of the lowest levels in years.

Strict social distancing measures have led many commuters to ditch the bus, train or tram in favour of the perceived safety of their personal car.

As a whole the monthly spend on commuting in May this year rose nine per cent from $224 to $245 compared to 2019.

Kate Browne, personal finance expert at Finder says if you decided to drive to work you need to be aware of the effect it may have on your finances.

More and more people are getting in their car to drive to work.

“If you are planning to drive, be mindful of the extra costs and factor it into your budget,” says Browne.

“In Sydney for instance, if you commute 30 minutes to an hour on public transport, you probably pay about $40 a week. The cost of driving plus tolls and parking may cost you upwards of $100 a week, which is a significant difference.

“If you are planning to avoid public transport, work out how much extra it will cost you, and to avoid a blowout in costs, look for other areas you can cut down on your spending.”

Sydney trains is instructing passengers to follow strict social distancing measures.

Aussies are being forced onto the road thanks to limits on the amount of people allowed on buses and train carriages. Currently only 32 people are allowed on Sydney train carriages and 12 on a bus while Victoria isn’t limiting the amount of people on its public transport network.

Victorians are increasingly likely to skip public transport with the recent spikes in community infections raising fears of a second wave in the country’s second largest city.