Greater Boston’s post-pandemic economy and the transportation system that supports it is entering a critical time. There are real risks that the future of this region could be dominated once again by roadway traffic congestion if we fail to design policies and transportation goals that appeal to both workers and employers.  

Even as the commonwealth navigates this next phase of this public health crisis, we can anticipate the future based on new survey data that shows how much commuter behavior could change in the years ahead. Today, it is essential that the public and private sector effectively harness this new data, otherwise the entire region could once again be “worst in the nation” for traffic congestion.   

Over the last year, A Better City partnered with the city of Boston and the Energy Foundation to broadly survey Boston commuters. This engagement with Boston-area employers helped to understand how the pandemic is changing commute patterns and the choices workers are facing. This same survey was conducted in August 2020 and again in June 2021and uncovered key trends, comparisons, and forecasts for this fall and beyond.  

Survey Suggests Traffic Problems Loom 

We learned that workers are growing more comfortable with a hybrid work schedule. The most recent survey showed a majority of employees now prefer to work from the office two or three times per week, while teleworking the rest of week.  This corresponds with a decrease in the percentage of respondents saying they hope to either “always” or “never” telecommute, showing that some form of a hybrid work environment is appealing to most workers.     

We also see significant support for the MBTA and public transit. Commuters are growing more comfortable with the idea of traveling on public transit, which shows the MBTA’s Ride Safer public awareness campaign is working. Finally, we can see workers being more likely to travel by bicycle, as protected bike lanes and reconfigured roads are becoming more widespread through the Boston area.       

The biggest area of concern is that many workers plan to commute this fall by driving alone. Unfortunately, the Greater Boston region is already seeing roadway traffic levels that are equal to the vehicular congestions from 2019.  It is somewhat hard to believe, but even with the increase in working-from-home, the shift towards driving and away from public transit for the people who are commuting is putting our roads at capacity once again.   

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reported that in August 2021 – a month of summer vacations and before any post-Labor Day return-to-work plans went into effect – vehicular traffic was only 5 percent below our pre-pandemic levels.  This means any additional drivers his fall, will create productivity-sapping congestion, and another deterrent to returning to the office. This would lower economic activity in business districts, pose a risk to the region’s business climate and yield negative environmental impacts from increased greenhouse gas emissions.  

T Fare Changes Key 

This survey does offer some potential solutions to this traffic challenge. Workers who hope to drive to the office this fall can be persuaded to commute via public transit. The most effective options public officials and business leaders have are dropping the price of transit passes and a reexamining employee parking benefits. This comprehensive approach can help shift employee commuting choices away from driving alone, as long as workers feel that the MBTA is safe, affordable and reliable.  

Fortunately, the MBTA is already proving their strong commitment to passenger safety. Over the past year, the MBTA upgraded the ventilation of buses and train cars, improved schedules for commuter rail and created bus-only lanes throughout the region so that commute times can be minimized. It is also accelerating marketing efforts about enforcement of face mask requirements and publicizing other rules that protect riders.   

The MBTA is also adjusting their approach to transit fare passes for riders adopting new, hybrid work schedules. Last week, the T extended its “5-day Flex Pass” for the commuter rail system so that a rider can use a one-day pass, any day within a thirty-day period, and it will cost less than the pre-pandemic round-trip ticket.  In the weeks ahead, MBTA leaders should continue to work with employers on new short-term transit passes, and to consider a broader review of the fare structure.  

The data in our survey showed changes in pricing can be very effective. Subsidized transit passes remain the top measure identified by commuters who would consider taking public transit instead of driving to work. Benefits offered by employers will also need to adjust, as a monthly transit pass is not likely to make financial sense for workers in a hybrid work environment.  

We may not know the future of the pandemic, but fortunately Massachusetts is in better shape that most parts of the country. We already know what the future of transportation in Greater Boston could look like, if we can’t find the right balance between getting cars off the road, encouraging use of public transit and meeting workers’ preferences in the hybrid work climate.  We know more now thanks to this broad employee survey, and now need to continue implementing solutions from both the private and public sectors so we minimize our traffic congestion problems.  

Rick Dimino is CEO of A Better City.