Last week the Globe and Mail reported on a Statistics Canada study showing that “the vast majority of commuters remain reluctant to use public transit, despite public campaigns encouraging people of its environmental and cost benefits.”
The study goes on to state that “commuters who used public transit took considerably longer to get to work than those who lived an equivalent distance from their place of work and went by car.”
Canada-wide, transit users spent 44 minutes traveling to work compared to drivers who only took 24 minutes.
See the problem here?
Note the wording in the very first sentence of the article (quoted above): “commuters remain reluctant to use public transit, despite public campaigns encouraging people of its environmental and cost benefits.”
This suggests, of course, that transit agencies and governments in Canada honestly believed the way to get people to use transit is to advertise to them; that it is a problem of awareness and education.
Have you ever known someone to use the subway based solely on the fact that they saw an advertisement? Me neither.
Here’s a thought: Maybe the reason Canadians aren’t taking public transit more is because it takes double the amount of time as it would to drive. No amount of advertising or “encouraging” is going to change that until the time gap between the car and public transit is narrowed.
Treat the disease, not the symptom.
2 Comments
Big numbers. Big differences.
“Canada-wide, transit users spent 44 minutes traveling to work compared to drivers who only took 24 minutes.”
On the other hand you won’t get bothered by traffic jams, other driver’s behaviours and even be able to take a nap or read a book.
But also not that flexible as with a car. Time is a huge point in those questions, but also should be the “stuff” around time. Like distance, catchment areas, money and comfort. I know, we had that conversation before (with the benefits of the dark windows in tunnels) but you made your point there, Steven.
But environment? I believe most of the consumers aren’t interested into that topic. If it would hurt their pockets deeply though…
Another interesting number just to think about: I was told last year the average horsepower of all sold cars was more than 147 KW / 200 PS.
Due to increasing costs for fuel and the world market situation since 2008 I found that REALLY interesting. What do you think about this?
Amen Steven!
Our time is money! And most people are working longer than ever so we need to use our time wisely. Plus the kids have different sports, etc, so we’re all going here, there and everywhere.
But most public transit I’ve been on is either set up based on (as you’ve mentioned) are either based on politics, toys for tourists or simply where politicos “hope” that future development will be. I realize I’m repeating what you’ve said previously, but it’s to “spot on” that it bears repeating!