Chicago Area Public Transit Taking a Hit Due To More Telecommuters

By Meha Ahmad
The average American commute increased to 26.9 minutes in 2017 from 26.6 minutes the year before, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
The average American commute increased to 26.9 minutes in 2017 from 26.6 minutes the year before, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
The average American commute increased to 26.9 minutes in 2017 from 26.6 minutes the year before, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
The average American commute increased to 26.9 minutes in 2017 from 26.6 minutes the year before, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Chicago Area Public Transit Taking a Hit Due To More Telecommuters

By Meha Ahmad
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Whether it’s a car, rideshare or taxi cab, most people drive to get to work but many are opting to work from home.

Telecommuting grew about 23 percent in the Chicago area from 2013 to 2017, according to a new Census Bureau survey.

Metra officials blame the rise in telecommuting as one of the reasons behind their falling ridership, though other reasons include high gas prices and rising fare costs.

Mary Wisniewski of the Chicago Tribune joins the Morning Shift to talk about the future of public transit.

GUEST: Mary Wisniewski, Chicago Tribune transportation reporter and columnist
LEARN MORE: Column: Driving, telecommuting are the most common ways people get to work. Neither trend bodes well for transit agencies (Chicago Tribune, 10/1/18)

Parking meters in Chicago to phase out use of dashboard receipts (Chicago Tribune 10/1/18)