Hybrid work has stabilized around 28–30% of paid workdays done from home (WFH Research), reshaping commute frequency and timing while single-occupancy driving remains the top choice. Road congestion has broadly rebounded with midweek peaks (INRIX), and U.S. public transit ridership generally sits around 75–85% of 2019 levels on recent months (FTA NTD; APTA). Safety, cleanliness, reliability, and service frequency are now crucial for commuters (Transport Focus).
While single-occupancy vehicles have always been a popular choice for many commuters, the post-pandemic landscape looks different than it did in 2020: about 28–29% of paid workdays are now worked from home (WFH Research), road congestion has broadly rebounded and concentrates Tuesday–Thursday with flatter peaks (INRIX), and national public transit ridership typically ranges around 75–85% of 2019 baselines, with bus/light rail closer to recovery than heavy/commuter rail (FTA NTD; APTA). Many people still favor the perceived reliability and control of driving, while safety, cleanliness, and reliable frequency continue to shape when and how riders use transit—often with stronger Tuesday–Thursday peaks and lighter Mondays/Fridays (Kastle Back to Work Barometer).
In order to get a sense of how people will feel the safest commuting in the next decade, recent U.S. data point to a durable hybrid norm: roughly 28%–30% of paid workdays are done from home (WFH Research), office occupancy shows entrenched midweek peaks (often >60% of pre‑pandemic levels Tue–Wed and far softer Fridays) (Kastle), and commuters prioritize flexibility and reliability alongside safety (Transport Focus). These factors help explain why driving alone remains dominant for many trips, even as transit and rideshare have regained ground.
Survey Findings:
- Driving alone remains the dominant U.S. commute mode and car occupancy for commuting is near one person per vehicle (~1.1), reflecting the persistence of single-occupancy trips (2022 NHTS).
- Safety and security perceptions matter: daytime feels safer than after dark, with women reporting lower feelings of safety; visible staff, cleanliness, and reliable frequency increase willingness to ride (Statistics Canada; TfL/BTP; Transport Focus).
- Rideshare services are widely used for certain trips and times, with platforms reintroducing pooled options and adding safety features (e.g., Women+ Connect, optional in‑app audio recording; pooled options like UberX Share and Lyft Shared; core safety toolkits: Uber Safety, Lyft Safety). Availability varies by city.
COVID-19’s Impact on Commuting
The early-pandemic focus on distancing has given way to concerns about reliability, cleanliness, and personal security. National public transit ridership has rebounded to roughly 75–85% of 2019 levels on recent months, with bus generally recovering faster than rail and weekend and off-peak trips often leading weekdays (FTA NTD; APTA). Commuter rail remains the laggard in many regions as hybrid schedules concentrate commuting into fewer midweek days (INRIX; Kastle).
While surveying a batch of U.S. commuters, their preference was clear for at least the next decade: flexibility first. Many remote-capable employees commute two to three days per week and choose the fastest, most reliable option on those days—often driving where parking is easy, or frequent transit where it competes on door-to-door time (WFH Research; Transport Focus; TfL – Travel in London 16).
Of the people the research team spoke with regarding this perception, the most common response today centers on safety and reliability: concerns about harassment or disorder (especially at night) and long waits drive some riders to avoid certain times or routes, while visible staff and dependable frequency make trips feel safer (TfL/BTP; Statistics Canada; Transport Focus).
“I feel much safer riding when there are staff or ambassadors around and trains come frequently — long waits at night are what make me uneasy.”
“Even as incident rates improve, I still avoid late-night trips when platforms are quiet; daytime feels fine.”
It’s worth mentioning how increases in single occupancy increase several troubling metrics including traffic, pollution, and car accidents, to name a few. Transportation is the largest U.S. greenhouse-gas sector and light-duty vehicles are the biggest contributor within it (EPA Inventory); congestion in major metros increased again in 2024 (INRIX); and while traffic fatalities have edged down from pandemic-era peaks, total deaths remain high by historical standards (NHTSA).
In November 2020, The Reviews.com research team found that many drivers felt overwhelmed while returning to a more normal driving schedule. Earlier Reviews.com research captured that moment; since then, independent traffic analytics show many large metros surpassing 2019 congestion levels by 2023–2024, with pronounced midweek peaks (INRIX).
Survey Methodology
- This update synthesizes multiple 2024–2025 data sources (e.g., WFH Research/SWAA, U.S. Census ACS 2023, FTA NTD and APTA ridership, Kastle Systems office occupancy, INRIX congestion, TfL/BTP and Transport Focus safety/perception, NHTS occupancy, NHTSA fatalities, EPA GHGs, FHWA VMT, and official platform pages for Uber/Lyft).
- Figures reflect U.S. national or multi-city trends; conditions vary by region, mode, time of day, and employer policies (with common Tuesday–Thursday peaks and lighter Mondays/Fridays) (Kastle; INRIX).
- Historical context: Reviews.com previously surveyed 1,221 U.S. residents online (Mar 10–16, 2021). Current statistics and sources cited here supersede early-pandemic perceptions where noted.
