Watch CBS News

Survey Finds Most California Commuters Drive Solo

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Even without a transportation strike, about half of Bay Area commuters drive solo to work every day, according to a new survey out Thursday which shows that overall two-thirds of Californians drive to work alone.

A statewide survey on the environment, by the Public Policy Institute of California, finds the number of solo drivers has held steady since 2008, despite an 11 percent drop between 2003 and 2008. Just 14 percent of full and part-time workers reported carpooling.

Survey Finds Most California Commuters Drive Solo

Transit experts said workers report doing more before and after the commute, such as going to the gym, the grocery store, or the dry cleaners that make driving alone more attractive.

Public transit is more popular in the Bay Area, where 16 percent use trains or buses, compared to eight percent statewide.

The four-day walkout in July by Bay Area Rapid Transit workers put an estimated 60,000 additional cars on the road, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

Half of the 2,103 surveyed by PPIC in July were considering a more fuel efficient car. Twenty-five percent reported already owning one.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.