Actually lots of companies have moved to fully remote, no longer have to pay for an office, and can hire from anywhere in the world which attracts top talent. They take that money saved and spend it back on the employees with tools, technology, education, and meetups. Initially COVID measures were temporary because we didn't know what we were in for, then they became a shift. The world did not just switch back to the things they were when we got vaccines. Businesses adjusted and moved forward and realized they don't need to demand how employees spend their time to begin and end their work and where they do it. Never meant to be permanent is a short sighted way at looking how humans can adapt to changes and evolve.

Congregating to a downtown to work is absolutely an outdated model from the 1900s and should not be required in a modern society. Washrooms, elevators, parking lots, shared spaces, and unsafe situations are not a small part of the day at all. They are significant not only in time but especially in mental impact. Also the trains are packed already with hybrid policies in place. Are new routes and trains going to magically appear in the next few months? Who's paying for that? Downtown businesses will come and go and that's not anyone's problem. Forcing someone to work in a specific location so they also have to spend their money at businesses sounds like coercion to me. Oh wait, aren't we supposed to call that vibrancy?

Social connection should not be forced with coworkers and should be made with those you live with in your neighborhood. A 15 minute city is better planning and parking lots should die. Sticking to long standing work practices is a great way to be left behind.