The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered work and commuting patterns worldwide, particularly by promoting the widespread adoption of Work From Home (WFH) practices. This transition has had significant impacts on public transportation and commercial real estate markets, particularly in cities like Stockholm. Public transportation usage saw a sharp decline as people no longer commuted to offices, while office vacancy rates increased as companies downsized their office spaces. Understanding the intersection between these shifts in work practices and urban mobility is crucial for shaping future city planning, infrastructure, and commercial real estate strategies.

This study examines the changes in public transportation usage and office vacancy rates before, during, and after the pandemic in Stockholm, with a focus on the influence of WFH as a key driver. The analysis using the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework on interview findings revealed how the pandemic accelerated the transition of WFH from a niche innovation into a mainstream practice. While interviews suggested a perceived relationship between public transportation and office vacancy rates, no statistical correlation was found between changes in public transportation and vacancy rates during 2018–2022.

The findings show that WFH has led to a permanent shift in commuter behavior, reducing demand for both office spaces and public transportation. Public transportation in Stockholm faced a permanent reduction in weekday commuter traffic. The pandemic amplified pre-existing trends such as remote work models and a preference for smaller, higher quality office spaces in central areas. Central business districts experienced a quicker recovery due to their demand, while suburban areas faced slower rebounds in office occupancy and public transportation usage. This study provides a roadmap for understanding the evolving landscape of work and urban mobility in the post-pandemic era.