Commuting isn't all bad

Transit riders less likely to enjoy the trip to work

There are more workers who like their commute than those who don't, according to a new study.

The Statistics Canada study used data from the 2005 General Social Survey on time to determine what, if any, factors make commuting an unpleasant experience.

More than one third (38 per cent) of workers reported they like their commute to and from work, while 30 per cent said they didn't.

Sixteen percent of workers said they liked commuting a great deal and three per cent said the time spent commuting was their favourite activity of the day, mostly because this is time they have all to themselves.

The study also found that those who like their jobs were six times more likely to enjoy their daily commute than those who disliked their jobs.

Workers who travel to work by public transit are more likely to dislike their commute than those who commute by car. Less than one quarter (23 per cent) of people who commuted by public transit said they like the commute, compared to 39 per cent of those who drove.

This difference in the level of enjoyment can be explained mainly by the fact that it takes longer for people to get to work by transit than by car and time is a big factor in determining whether or not someone will enjoy the commute. The study looked at transit and car commuters who spent the same time commuting and found the transit commuters were just as likely to enjoy the commute as car commuters.

However, of all commuters, those who have to take both the car and public transit are the least likely to enjoy their commute, regardless of how long it takes.

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