It’s one of our favourite things to complain about: our daily commutes.
It appears, however, that most workers in British Columbia are actually happy with their travels to and from work or school, according to an Insights West study released May 24. Almost two-thirds of those surveyed said they feel their commutes are pleasant. This includes 24% who called their trips “extremely pleasant.”
That’s not to say that all commuters across the province are thrilled with their daily commutes, and satisfaction varies based on mode of travel. Almost one-in-three respondents called their commutes “annoying.” Among those who say they are happy with their trips, those who are able to walk to work or school are the happiest, with 96% saying they find their trips pleasant, followed by those who bike, at 95%.
Those who drive and those who take public transit report lower levels of satisfaction, at 62% and 60%, respectively. Some of the main reasons drivers say they are unhappy with their commutes are bad behaviour on the road (62%) and traffic (58%). Transit users say they are unhappy with overcrowding inside vehicles (71%) and wait times (64%).
Those drivers who are happy say having control of the entertainment in their vehicles is the top reason they are satisfied with their commutes. Half of transit users say they find value in reading the newspaper or answering emails while they commute.
One-in-four British Columbians say their commutes are worse now than they were five years ago. This includes 30% of those in Metro Vancouver. A full 75% of those polled said they would like to work from home more frequently as a way of reducing commuting.
As well, 65% say they would choose future employers based on where they are located. More than half—54%—say they would consider moving from their current residences if they were to change jobs in the future. As well, 42% say they would be willing to take a pay cut in exchange for a job closer to home.
@EmmaHampelBIV
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