The results of Mobilityways Commuter Census® 2024 are in, and they reveal some fascinating insights into carpooling and commuting habits.

 
The new report, compiled from the survey results of 10,325 commuters, found that more people are currently sharing a lift to work than the previous four years, with 15% of employees now carpooling to work, representing a return to pre-pandemic levels. 60% of respondents to Commuter Census also said they would consider carpooling. This figure has risen for the last two years, suggesting we could see a further behavioural shift towards more sustainable and affordable modes of transportation going forward. 

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According to the survey, just 38% of respondents are travelling to work in a petrol or diesel single occupancy vehicle (SOV), which is the lowest percentage recorded by Commuter Census to date. Furthermore, less than half (45%) of respondents are commuting by any form of SOV, including hybrid and electric vehicles. These findings are a promising sign for Mobilityways, which is dedicated to making zero-carbon commuting a reality, hence why the social enterprise offers Liftshare free of charge for members of the public to use. 
One of the main reasons for this shift away from driving alone seems to be cost. Ali Clabburn, the founder of Mobilityways, highlighted a significant increase in car sharing.

“We’ve seen the biggest increase in car sharing in the last year that we’ve ever seen. It’s up 22%, which is huge.”

“Sentiment from the survey is that people are thinking about costs more now. They used to think about trying to travel the quickest way and now they are definitely trying to find the cheapest way, because the cost of driving a car is prohibitive. It’s rocketed and is now, on average, over £5,000 per person each year. So, many people are giving up a car and now looking at alternatives such as buses and car sharing.” 

Commuter Census also revealed that six in ten people are open to carpooling or carpooling in an electric vehicle as an alternative to their current commute. The bus has also seen a surge in popularity, with a 17% increase in usage since last year. One in ten respondents now uses a bus to get to work, a shift that may be attributed to the £2 bus fare cap implemented in many parts of the country.
Another notable finding was the changing attitude towards hybrid working. While remote work became the norm during the pandemic, only 26% of respondents now consider working from home as an alternative to their current commute, a 42% decrease from the previous year. The return to the office is accelerating, with 41% of employees now required to be on-site every day, despite only 15% of respondents preferring not to work from home.
Data from Commuter Census paints a picture of a shifting landscape in commuter habits, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and cost-effective transportation options. The rise of carpooling and increased bus usage, all point towards a positive trend in reducing commuter emissions. As tools and strategies to promote zero-carbon commuting continue to develop, we expect to see further changes in the way people travel to work. 
To get started lift-sharing, or to try our new Liftshare app experience, download the Mobilityways app for free.  
And if you’re interested in reading more report findings, you can download a copy of Commuter Census here.