RIDING THE BUS: COMMUTER TRENDS, 1985-2001

According the U.S. Dept. of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), between 1985-2001, non-carpool automobile use to commute to work increased steadily from 72.4% to 78.2%. Carpooling dropped from 14.1% in 1985 to 9.7% in 2001, with its biggest drop between 1985-1989 (14.1% to 11.8% of communters). This was also the period where the biggest increase in self-drivers occurred. Public Transportation remained relatively steady between 1985-2001, ranging from 5.1% (1985) to 4.7% (2001). Between 1989-1997, using public transportation to get to work remained steady at 4.6%, jumping a little in 1999 to 4.9%, and then decreasing again just slightly. Walking, bicycling, or using other means of transportation to get to work decreased steadily from 1985, though none of those methods was ever greater than driving, carpooling, or using public transportation. The closest method was walking. In 1985, RITA reported 4% of commuters walked as compared to 5.1% using public transportation. The discrepancy between them increased with time, however. (Table 1-35: Principal Means of Transportation to Work, USDOT RITA)

I was surprised that the number of drivers didn't increase, and the number of people using public transportation didn't decrease more from 1985-2001. It's significant, though, that the increase in drivers seems to have come from a drop-off in carpooling and walking. I'd be interested to know the reason for the decrease, although I can guess it's because during that time, it became more convenient or more accessible to own and drive a car than it did to share rides or walk. I also wonder if more people during that time were able to purchase and afford cars, or if development in suburban and rural areas made it necessary for people have cars.

Source: