Denver Area Public Transit Ridership Dips in Favor of Car Commuting

More commuters in Denver drive alone to work than take public transit according the Downtown Commuter Survey. It's the first time since the survey began using its current methodology in 2013 that more people are driving alone than other mode choices. "Despite the 1.8 percent rise in solo drivers since 2015, the DDP is still optimistic that with the proper infrastructure and policy implementation over the coming years, the survey direction can be reversed." Abbie Mitchell writes for 5280.

Women were more likely to drive than men. "The survey says that while commuters over the age of 49 are more likely to use transit than their younger counterparts, women in their 30s and 40s are more likely to drive alone than any other group surveyed, regardless of age or gender," Mitchell reports. This may be part of an opportunity to better serve female commuters. The survey also looked into the reasons why commuters chose to drive, "74 percent of those who regularly drive to work alone saying that they are willing to try other modes of transportation to make it to the office, and 57 percent of the same group saying it would utilize transit if it were faster or more frequent," Mitchell details.