A study has shown that the coronavirus pandemic is creating a shift away from public transportation and towards private cars in the United States.
In the study conducted by Cars.com earlier this month with 3,062 respondents, it was discovered that more than a third of Americans are currently working from home and that when they do return to the office, they won’t do so via public transportation.
The study found that 43 per cent of Americans lack faith in fellow passengers on public transportation abiding by health and safety protocols, with the remaining 57 per cent saying they at least “moderately trust” other passengers. Moreover, 35 per cent of future commuters plan to commute less even after returning to work in person.
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The study also revealed that 62 per cent of workers have swapped public transportation for their car. No less than 21 per cent of respondents added they have purchased a car in the last six months, with 57 per cent saying it was because of the pandemic. Additionally, 65 per cent of bus riders have stopped riding or are riding less frequently, 60 per cent of subway or commuter rail riders have stopped riding or are riding less frequently, and 59 per cent are using ride-sharing less often than before.
“As much of the American office workforce continues to work remotely, there is a major shift in commuting behavior, which is likely to have a lasting impact long after we return to the office,” assistant managing editor for Cars.com, Matt Schmitz, said. “Workers are saving up to an hour or more a day by not commuting, and finding significant value in this newfound gift of time. And when they do finally return to the office, it won’t be via mass transit. Personal vehicles will dominate the work commute as distrust in public transport and ride-sharing continues.”
