Most Urban Jobs Are Near Transit, but Most Workers Aren’t

[marmar]

from the WSJ:



By Conor Dougherty


Most urban jobs are near some sort of mass transit stop but most workers face impractically difficult commutes via public transportation, a consequence of the suburbanization of both jobs and people, according to this report by the Brookings Institution.

Some three quarters of all jobs in the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas are in neighborhoods with transit service, but only about a quarter of the workforce is able to get to their jobs in less than 90 minutes via mass transit. Why the disconnect? Despite the popular image of office workers in tall downtown buildings, most Americans both live and work in the suburbs. Any honest accounting of transit coverage has to take this into account, as Brookings does.

On average, the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas have 63% of their jobs — 64.6 million total positions — located outside the central city. And while most of those jobs are in near some sort of bus or rail line, the patchwork of suburban transportation systems makes it hard for their workers — most of which also live in the suburbs — to get there without driving.

A lot of people will say, so what? I drive to work and I’m fine with it. That is the case for most people: Solo drivers make up 74% of all commuters, according to Brookings. Adie Tomer, the report’s author, agrees but notes that between a tough recession and occasional gas price spikes the simple act of getting to work can be a burden on many households budget. He also notes that many unemployed workers are finding that they live further and further from possible job openings. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2012/07/11/most-urban-jobs-are-near-transit-but-most-workers-arent/

[FrodosPet]

1. I HATE riding the bus

I have a bus stop about 100 yards outside my door. I HATE riding the bus.

I have a bad back, so it does not work for grocery shopping. And it seems like either you or the bus is running late. So you get to wait in the heat of summer or the freezing cold of winter. Then, you get to your transfer point, and watch your next bus pulling away, so you get to wait 30 to 60 minutes for the next one.

Plus I don't have any good bus pants!

I am a huge supporter of mass transit, because I understand the necessity of it. But like I said, I hate actually using it. For younger, healthier people, it can be good, though. Most definitely cheaper than car ownership.

[surrealAmerican]

2. I'm going to have to ask you on this one: ...

... what are "good bus pants"?

I hate riding buses too, but the train is a different story. It's faster than driving, and routes are less likely to be cut when there's a budget problem. Sadly, far fewer people have this option.

[FrodosPet]

3. It's a joke from "The Big Bang Theory"

My best friend is a daily bus rider, so we use this joke WAY too often.

[kentauros]

4. Of course, the SANE answer to this is telecommuting.

Yet, it's rarely promoted much less implemented. Why are we so resistant to this idea? Sure, I know some of the reasons, such as managers thinking that if they can't see you, they can't manage you. Well, there's software to take care of those issues, not to mention things like video conferencing and Skype-video.

And yet, even on DU, I mention this and get nothing but resistance, as if it's not viable. Most office jobs, and especially most cube-farm positions could be done from home, or small satellite offices. Why drive, ride the bus or the train when you can just log on and get to work?

[marmar]

5. Then there would be no one to Lord over you.....

...... I get that distinct impression at my place of work. 75% of work could easily be handled from home, but there are just those managers who "need to see your face" every day.

[kentauros]

6. I remember one thing I'd read about the managing aspect

was that older, more experienced managers were more adaptable to and accepting of telecommuting. It was the younger, less experienced managers that were the most resistant, due to a "need" to micromanage.

However, I've also found that many IT managers are resistant, too, all the while telecommuting their jobs...

[FrodosPet]

7. Telecommuting is nice

The cool part of telecommuting is waking up a half hour before shift and working in my nightcoat. No traffic, no gas, no bus trips, I can eat out of my refrigerator.

The down side is home distraction and rarely interacting with your co-workers. When your roommate feels she HAS to share something with you at the same time 3 drivers and 4 fares are calling you, it can get a little tense.

But most def, telecommuting is a good thing if you can keep your focus.