Fewer Cars Mean Faster Commutes for Everyone

Your morning commute doesn't have to be a crawl through endless brake lights. New data reveals that when just 5 to 10% of drivers switch to public transit, everyone's commute gets dramatically faster.

Americans lost an entire work week sitting in traffic in 2024. The annual cost of congestion hit $269 billion, up 16% in five years.

But here's the hopeful twist: roads don't fail gradually. They work fine until hitting about 90% capacity, then everything collapses fast.

That same cliff edge works in reverse. Remove just a handful of cars and traffic flows freely again.

Transportation models show that on a typical urban road at 90% capacity, taking 5% of cars off the road cuts delays by 18%. Remove 10% of vehicles and delays plummet by 35%.

One bus replaces 40 to 50 cars. One train removes hundreds of vehicles from the highway.

Cities investing in reliable transit aren't forcing anyone out of their car. They're giving some commuters a genuine alternative, which creates breathing room for everyone else on the road.

You've experienced this yourself during school holidays or snow days when fewer people drive. Suddenly your 45 minute slog becomes a breezy 30 minute cruise.

The Ripple Effect

Better public transit touches lives beyond the people who ride it. Drivers spend less time stressed behind the wheel and more time with family. Delivery trucks move products faster, keeping prices lower. Emergency vehicles reach people quicker.

Communities that expanded transit options have seen this play out in real time. Commuters report less back pain, fewer headaches, and dramatically lower stress levels.

The space on our roads is limited, but the solutions aren't. Every new transit rider creates a tiny bit more room for everyone else.

Your faster commute might depend on transit you never use.