U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #287: September 29, 2003
Modes of Transport, May 2003

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics conducts bimonthly surveys of approximately 1,000 households to collect travel-related data. The survey conducted in June 2003 asked respondents about their travel for the month of May 2003. According to the survey results, only 5.3% of respondents did not use a personal vehicle during the month. Public transit was used in May by 12.5% of respondents and carpools were used by 4.5%. Bicycles were used by 19.3% of respondents, but 87% of bicycle use was for recreation or exercise purposes rather than transport from one place to another.

Omnibus Household Survey Results on Travel in May 2003
Graph: Omnibus Household Survey Results on Travel in May 2003

Supporting Information

Omnibus Household Survey Results on Travel in May 2003
For the month of May 2003, respondents who: Share of
respondents		 Median number
of days this
mode was used
Did NOT drive or ride in a personal vehicle 5.27% Not applicable
Rode in a vanpool or carpool 4.49% 15
Rode public transit 12.47% 6
Rode in a city-to-city bus 1.65% 1
Rode in a charter or tour bus 1.65% 2
Rode a city-to-city train 2.44% 3
Flew on a commercial airline 11.23% 2
Flew on a charter, private plane, or helicopter 1.74% 2
Rode a motorcycle, scooter, motor bike, moped, or all-terrain vehicle 9.75% 5
Rode a bicycle 19.32% 4
Rode in a recreational boat 8.34% 2
Rode on a commercial boat, ship, or ferry 1.68% 1
Rode on a cruise ship 1.05% 5
Road in a taxi, limousine, shuttle, etc. 13.54% Not available

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Omnibus Household Survey Results – June 2003, Section G – General Transportation Core Questions (N=1,029).

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