India’s Commute Crisis: Low Public Transport Usage Fuels Road Congestion, NSO Finds

NEW DELHI: India’s persistent battle with gridlocked roads and traffic snarls may finally have a quantified culprit. According to the inaugural National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), a staggering lack of reliance on mass transit systems is defining the country’s daily commute.

The survey, which captured data between July 2025 and June 2026, reveals that only 15% of the Indian workforce utilizes public transport—encompassing buses, trains, trams, and auto-rickshaws. In sharp contrast, a massive 46% of the workforce relies on private motor vehicles, with two-wheelers accounting for 43% of all work commutes and cars making up the remaining 3%.

Urban Dependence on Private Transport

The trend toward private vehicle ownership is even more pronounced in urban centers. City-dwellers are increasingly turning to personal transport, with 53% of urban workers using two-wheelers and nearly 6% opting for cars. This heavy reliance on individual modes of transport is widely seen as a primary contributor to the deteriorating traffic conditions in major metropolitan hubs.

While private vehicles dominate in cities, the survey highlights a significant segment of the population that remains outside the motorized transport network. Walking ranks as the second most common way to get to work across India, with 28.3% of workers reaching their workplace on foot. Additionally, 10.7% of the workforce uses bicycles. Rural India remains the hub for these active forms of commuting, with 36% of rural workers walking to their jobs, compared to just 14% in urbanized areas.

Time and Cost: The Daily Grind

For the average Indian worker, the journey to work is a brief but concentrated affair. The NSO data indicates that a commuter spends an average of 25 minutes traveling to their workplace. These journeys are remarkably synchronized, with 95% of the workforce heading out before 10 am.

Financial disparities are also reflected in how India travels. On average, workers spend Rs 785 monthly on commuting. However, a significant gender gap exists; men spend an average of Rs 835 per month, while women spend Rs 533. This disparity is particularly stark in rural areas, where men spend more than double what women do—Rs 674 compared to Rs 307—suggesting underlying differences in travel distances and the modes of transport available to different demographics.

Students: A Different Mobility Pattern

The travel habits of students offer a different perspective. Unlike the workforce, 37% of students rely on walking as their primary mode of travel to educational institutions. Public buses remain a critical lifeline for students, serving 29.5% of the population, while 15.8% use bicycles. Most students benefit from shorter travel times, with 88% reaching their schools or colleges in under 30 minutes.

Shaping Future Infrastructure

The NSO survey was commissioned to address specific data requirements for the railway ministry, but its implications go far beyond that. By mapping out exactly how, when, and why citizens travel, the government aims to overhaul existing transportation policies.

“Information on travel patterns and public transport use will help identify gaps in existing transport systems, assess accessibility, optimize routes, and improve service frequency and scheduling,” the NSO noted in a formal statement. As urbanization continues to accelerate, this data will serve as a vital blueprint for urban planners attempting to shift India away from its dependency on private vehicles and toward a more sustainable, efficient public transit future.

Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.

Source: Read Original News