India commuting survey shows low public transit use

The inaugural National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) between July 2025 and June 2026, reveals significant trends in Indian commuting patterns. The data shows that a large portion of the workforce relies on private vehicles rather than public transit. Only 15 percent of workers use public transport, while two-wheelers account for 43 percent of workplace journeys nationwide, a figure that rises to 53 percent in urban centers.

Walking is the second most common mode of transport for workers, used by 28.3 percent of the population nationally, with higher prevalence in rural areas (36 percent) compared to urban areas (14 percent). Bicycles account for 10.7 percent of journeys. The average workplace commute lasts 25 minutes, with nearly 95 percent of employees departing before 10:00 AM.

Student mobility also shows distinct patterns. Over 70 percent of youth aged 15–29 commute daily for education, with 79.1 percent in rural areas and 73.3 percent in urban areas making regular trips. For students, walking is the primary mode at 37 percent, followed by buses at 29.5 percent and bicycles at 15.8 percent.

A gender divide is evident in both employment and spending. While 61.9 percent of male workers commute daily, only 41.9 percent of female workers do. Additionally, men spend an average of ₹835 per month on travel, compared to ₹533 for women.