Oregon Public Broadcasting

New numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show how gas prices and the recession are changing behavior even for people who have kept their jobs.

Washington and Idaho show some of the highest increases in commuters switching to carpools or public transit. Correspondent Tom Banse reports.

The Census Bureau runs an ongoing survey that among other things tracks how people typically get to work.

More than 7 out of 10 of us still drive to work alone.

Idaho had the largest drop in solo drivers of any state last year on a percentage basis.

The Census found commuters leaving their cars behind most often switched to vanpooling or cycling.

Bill LaBorde directs policy for the Transportation Choices Coalition in Seattle.

Bill LaBorde: “Another trend is the issue of convenience. We've seen some improvement in the last decade in transit service and availability of vanpools. So transit has become more convenient for more people.”

Transit agencies continue to report ridership increases even though gas prices have moderated and fewer people have jobs to go to.

Bus agencies in Olympia, Everett, and the Tri-Cities, Washington showed some of the strongest ridership gains through the first half of 2009.

According to the Census, Oregon had the smallest changes in commuting modes among the Northwest states between 2006 and 2008.

Online:U.S. Census - American Community Survey