Public Transport
Kelly Global Workforce Index reveals most Canadians choose an environmentally friendly commute to work
Almost two thirds of Canadians respondents opt for public transit
April 16, 2007
Biking, walking, carpooling and taking public transit to work all help Canadians reduce rising carbon emissions and traffic congestion. The Kelly Global Workforce Index, an international survey commissioned by Kelly Services - the foremost global talent management solutions provider - reveals that 64 per cent of respondents choose a more environmentally friendly route to work than driving on their own.
"With Earth Day just around the corner, it is important to recognize the vital role public transportation plays in our society," said Kelly Services Director, Karin French. "Not only is public transit essential for transporting the workforce, but it is also a large contributor to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion."
When asked what single factor would encourage greater use of public transit, 36 per cent of respondents stated more convenient access, followed by more frequent services and lower prices, both at 18 per cent. Other factors such as improved comfort and better safety were not found to greatly persuade commuters' use of public transit.
Other findings from Kelly Services' international workplace survey include:
- Public transportation is available to 81 per cent of respondents; however, 36 per cent of Canadians choose to use a private motor vehicle to travel to work.
- Respondents younger than 20 years of age were most likely to use public transit - 74 per cent - compared with respondents between 45-54 years of age - the least likely to use public transit at 61 per cent.
- Lower transit prices are more likely to encourage public transit use in younger workers, with 21 per cent of workers younger than 24 years of age stating lower prices would affect use of public transit compared to 12 per cent of those 45 years of age or older.
- Sixty-seven per cent of Saskatchewan respondents believe that public transit is a viable choice of transportation to and from work - the lowest in the country.
- While 83 per cent of respondents in Nova Scotia believe they have access to public transportation, 42 per cent of respondents prefer to use a private motor vehicle to travel to work.
Canada's use of public transit was moderate by international standards, ranking 15th out of 28 countries. Public transportation is most commonly used in Asia with 93 per cent of Indonesian respondents using public transit, followed by those in Hong Kong at 88 per cent. Respondents in Turkey - 29 per cent - and the United States - 34 per cent - were the least likely to use public transit.
"The survey data demonstrates that most Canadians prefer to use public transit rather than drive on their own," said French. "But if the system is inaccessible or too costly, commuters feel they are left with little choice and opt to drive on their own."
The Kelly Global Workforce Index sought the views of approximately 70,000 people in 28 countries including more than 10,000 in Canada.
About Kelly Services
Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB), is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Troy, Michigan (USA), offering staffing solutions that include temporary staffing services, outsourcing, vendor on-site and full-time placement. Kelly operates in 32 countries and territories. Kelly provides employment to more than 700,000 employees annually, with skills including office services, accounting, engineering, information technology, law, science, marketing, light industrial, education and health care. Revenue in 2006 was US$5.6 billion. Visit http://www.kellyservices.com.
- ## -
For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Wilcox Group
Toronto: 416-203-6666
Vancouver: 604-488-1100
kellyservices@wilcoxgroup.com
Additional materials available:
Kelly Services fact sheet
Public transportation survey results - Canada and International
