Public transport commutes too long to get people out of their cars, says US magazine

Stagnant transport patronage can only be increased if commute times are decreased, according to a U.S magazine highlighting how transport users' "average commute times are 1.9 times greater than for those driving".

Governing, a platform and magazine for state and local government leaders, compiled recent Census survey data for 25 metro areas and reported that "college towns are about the only areas where public transportation commute times mirror those for auto commuters". Driving takes less than half as long in some places, and is quicker even where there are "robust transit networks," for example, 29 minutes less in New York.

The website highlights how the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, covering Houston, created a new grid system for buses which took an average speed of a route from 12 to 14mph, and also increased frequencies.