Two-wheelers are the most commonly used mode of transportation for commuting to work while buses are the top choice for overnight household trips according to the country’s first National Household Travel Survey (NHTS). The survey was released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Monday.
As per the survey, for 42.6% of workers, two-wheelers are top choice both for fixed and non fixed travels, closely followed by walking with 28.3% of workplace commutes being done on foot
Monorail, metro, suburban rail and trams accounts for 5% of urban workplace commute across the country. Maharashtra has the highest share of people using public transport at 20.7%, followed by West Bengal at 16.5% and Delhi at 14.4%.
According to the data most of the workers commute to their workplace in short time. The survey shows that 83.4% of workers travelling to a fixed workplace reach their destination within 30 minutes. Another 13.7% take between 30 minutes and one hour.
Nagaland has the highest average travel time to a fixed workplace at 37 minutes followed by Delhi with 35 minutes, West Bengal had 32 minutes.
Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra both reported an average of 30 minutes.
In 23 states and Union Territories the average travel time was between 11 and 23 minutes.
According to the survey, 66.7% of students aged 6 years and above travel for studies for at least one kilometer, with urban areas recording 68.1% and 65.6% in rural areas.
And about nine out of 10 students reach their institutions within 30 minutes. Journeys shorter than one kilometer were not included in the survey.
Nationwide students largely prefer walking, buses and bicycles for commute.
The survey also revealed a difference in commuting costs between rural and urban areas.
Workers commuting to fixed workplaces spend an average of ₹785 per month. Urban workers incur a higher average monthly cost of ₹1,044 compared to Rs 617 spend by rural workers.
For students the average monthly spending on commuting to institutions was ₹443. Urban students spent an average of ₹617 while rural students spent ₹361.
Travel patterns change when it comes to overnight trips.
Buses accounted for than half of all overnight household journeys making them the most popular choice. Inter-city trains come next with a 17.7% share cars had 15.1% and two-wheelers had 8.8%.
Interestingly survey records that socialising, communication and religious activities are among the reason, for overnight travel journey, together making up 70.2% of such trips.
The NHTS gives a view of how Indians travel for work, education and other household activities. It covers both rural areas.
