Despite warnings, majority of Toronto drivers are not planning to change their commuting habits during Pan Am Games

autoTRADER.ca survey reveals surprising data about Toronto commuters

TORONTO, July 6, 2015 /CNW/ - With the TO2015 Pan American Games just days away, a new survey commissioned by autoTRADER.ca reveals that 60 per cent of people who drive to work more than twice per week in the Greater Toronto Area are not planning to change their commuting habits during the Games.

This news comes as a surprise given how much advance warning has been given by Games organizers, encouraging commuters to find alternate methods of getting to work during what will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in Canada.

The poll finds that almost a quarter of GTA drivers feel that public transit (TTC, GO) is not a better or feasible option for their commute, while one in five drivers are simply not concerned that there will be an increase in traffic.

Those who do plan to alter their commuting habits are looking at a variety of strategies. Taking public transit was the most common answer (21 per cent) followed by working flex hours to avoid busy travel times (16 per cent) and working from home (15 per cent).

Two of the most environmentally friendly methods were the least popular options – with only 13 per cent stating that they planned to carpool and just 10 per cent saying they would choose to walk or bike to work.

Young commuters were the most likely to change their habits, with 47 per cent of drivers aged 18-24 stating they would change their commuting habits during the Games. Parents are also more likely to change their habits, with three in five indicating that they would make changes to their commute.  The least inclined to change their ways are drivers between the ages of 35-44 with only 29 per cent planning to change their commute.

Other poll findings:

• Among drivers, the most likely age group to take public transit during the Games are 25-34 year olds (37 per cent). They are also the most likely to work from home (21 per cent)
• 35-44 year olds are the most likely demographic to work flex hours (25 per cent) or to try biking or walking to work (14 per cent)
• 18-24 year olds are the most likely to try carpooling or using a car service/taxi (18 per cent)
• One in five drivers over the age of 65 plan to take vacation during the Games

From June 30 – July 3, 2015 an online Google survey was conducted among 505 randomly selected commuters who drive to work a minimum of two days per week.

ABOUT TRADER CORPORATION
TRADER Corporation is a trusted Canadian leader in online media, automotive consumer marketplaces and automotive-focused digital marketing solutions. The company's best-of-breed product portfolio includes dealerSMARTsolutions, a full arsenal of tools and technology to turn automobile dealerships into serious online competitors, and vAuto's Provision Suite, a robust offering to help clients make faster and smarter inventory decisions based on real time local market knowledge.  Online marketplaces and destinations include: autoTRADER.ca™, autoHEBDO.net™ and Autos.ca.  Visit www.tradercorporation.com for more information.

SOURCE autoTRADER.ca

Jen Wilson, 416-342-1845, [email protected]