Canadians' Lengthening Commute

The study, released by Statistics Canada, reports an increase in commute times for Canadian workers, with the majority of trips in private cars. Torontonians fare the worst, with an average of 79 minutes spent on the road round trip.

"Canadians are spending more time commuting, with 25 percent logging 90 minutes or more a day traveling to and from work.

While urban sprawl and longer travel distances have contributed to increased commuting times, Statscan analyst Martin Turcotte reported rush-hour congestion is a growing problem -- 'and the negative consequences...are numerous and well-documented: pollution and increased greenhouse gas emissions, lost time, delays reaching work and home, increased stress, reduced productivity and other economic costs.'

Despite the cost and aggravation, 86 per cent of Canadians travel by car all the way or partway to and from work, because private vehicles are faster and more convenient than public transit for most, Statscan found in its survey of commuting times in 2005.

The duration of the round trip increased for both public transit users and automobile users between 1992 and 2005, with the result that the average Canadian now spends 63 minutes a day, or 12 full days a year, commuting to and from work, Statscan said.

For those traveling by car, the average went to 59 minutes from 51 minutes, round trip, and for public transit users, it rose to 106 minutes from 94 minutes."