TCC survey results!

Results from a 2010 survey of our membership are in. Here are some key findings:

Time is of the essence: 74% of survey respondents said that buses and trains “take too long to get where I need to go,” and 63% said that they would use public transportation more if it were faster.
More flexibility needed: 47% said they would use transit more if there were more routes, and 31% say that transit doesn't go where they need to go.
Work is the highest priority: Fully 55% of respondents stated that they use transit to get to work, while 31% list errands and 5% list school.
There is no “typical” transit user: On a scale between never to daily, respondents varied greatly in how often they use public transit. 1-2 days a week was the most common response at 32%, followed by 5-6 days a week at 26%, and the other responses all received at least 10% of the vote.
Transit can be unpredictable: Despite overall satisfaction with transit, 25% of respondents said “you never know when the next bus or train will arrive.”

An overarching look at our respondents:

How do they get around?
48% of survey respondents named buses as one of their primary modes of transportation, while 45% named the personal vehicle. Walking and bicycling were also popular at 25% and 21%, whereas light rail and carpools lagged far behind.
Why do they use transit?
• Transit is convenient: Most transit users cite at least one convenience related factor such as less hassle (68%) cheapness (51%) and ability to “relax, read, or listen to music” (45%) as reasons why they use transit.
• Transit is eco-friendly: A majority of 57% touts lower air and water pollution from buses and trains compared to personal vehicles as a reason to use transit.
How satisfied are they with the transit system?
In all, 75% of respondents rated the ease of using transit system in their area as somewhat or very easy, whereas 23% rated it as somewhat or very challenging. 76% said that the closest bus or train stop to them is 5 minutes walking, a convenient distance. While satisfaction levels are high, there is still room for improvement.

All comments on survey design have been read and taken to heart.