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TRANSACTIONS NEWSLETTER ONLINE

October 2001

Commuting Trends: Carpooling and Solo Driving Up, Transit Market Share Down

We just don't seem to give up. Driving alone to work that is. The newly released Commute Profile 2001 prepared by RIDES for Bay Area Commuters as part of MTC's regional rideshare program shows that despite increased congestion, the single-passenger auto continues to be by far the most popular way for Bay Area commuters to get to work.

Based on data collected this past spring, the Commute Profile indicates that 17 percent of Bay Area commuters regularly participate in a formal or informal carpool or vanpool. This is the highest rate of carpooling in the region since 1996. But the growth reflects only a modest rise of three percentage points from last year and comes primarily at the expense of transit's share of the commute market. The percentage of drive-alone commuters actually rose to 69 percent this spring from 68 percent a year earlier.

Although the average commute distance has remained relatively stable over the years, average travel time to work has increased 21 percent since 1992, from 28 minutes to 34 minutes, while driving speeds are declining. The latter two trends -- based on respondents' perception of their commute -- reflect the increase in traffic congestion.

Chart showing trends in regional commutes

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