California Workers Are Back, But They're Bringing Their Cars With Them

As workers across California return to the office in greater numbers, one thing is clear: they’re not hopping on the bus or train like state planners hoped. They're getting behind the wheel. And in the Bay Area, one of the nation's most transit-rich regions, new data shows that people are sticking with their cars, even if they only commute a few days a week. 

A new survey from the Bay Area Council found that 63% of respondents now work in the office part-time, a significant jump from 44% in late 2021. But even with the increased presence at desks, just 46% reported using transit “at least some of the time,” up modestly from 35% in January. The majority are still driving. 

In fact, vehicle traffic has completely rebounded. According to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), congestion on the Bay Bridge and surrounding freeways has returned to pre-pandemic levels during evening rush hours. Moreover, that congestion doesn’t seem to deter people from traveling. 

Transit agencies, especially BART, are struggling to lure commuters back. BART once carried 400,000 trips per weekday. Today, that number sits around 170,000. 

In this new normal, policymakers may need to rethink how and where transit investments are made and acknowledge that for many Californians, the convenience and flexibility of driving still wins out.