Published on March 17, 2023
In the post-Covid era, how we get around is changing. A new study from the University of Washington’s Mobility Innovation Center and Commute Seattle finds traffic is back not just because of work trips. 75% of people drive alone for errands.
“If we can make transit, biking, and walking for those types of trips, we’ll make it work for all trips,” said Kirk Hovenkotter of Commute Seattle.
But higher-income people, who were most likely to take transit before the pandemic, still haven’t returned.
22% of people who work in Downtown Seattle rode transit last year, compared to 46% in 2019.
One in five people now drives downtown for work, with traffic heaviest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
“We see different weekdays tell a different story. Monday and Friday have the highest rate of remote work,” said UW researcher Lamis Ashour.
Continue reading at KIRO 7.
Originally written by Graham Johnson for KIRO 7.