McGill University researching public transit impact on 10 major Canadian cities

Preliminary results from a McGill University study reveals that most Canadians view public transit as an essential service and support increased provincial funding in response to current financial difficulties. 

The study, known as the Canadian Mobility Survey, is underway in 10 major Canadian cities. The researchers of the study are in McGill’s School of Urban Planning and aim to evaluate the role public transit plays in urban Canadians’ daily travel and their ability to live a fulfilling life without using a car.   

“Another key goal of the survey is to understand the levels of public support for increasing public transit funding to partially address current financial difficulties,” said Lancelot Rodrigue, a graduate research assistant co-leading the study.  

The study is supervised by Professor Ahmed El-Geneidy, who is also the group leader of Transportation Research at McGill (TRAM).   

According to the university, preliminary results from more than 21,500 Canadians indicate that: 

• 97 percent agree public transit is an essential service in their region.  
• 62 percent of those traveling primarily by car support increasing public transit funding to maintain and increase current levels of service compared to 79 percent for other respondents. 
• Most want increased funding for public transit to come from provincial governments (65 percent) while 32 percent prefer fare increases.   
• Respondents who use a car for fewer than half of their weekly trips favor funding transit with car-related taxes (74 percent) but only 47 percent of car drivers support this option.  

“The findings from this ongoing survey will be of use to policy makers across Canada aiming to improve public transit service and ensure its long-term financial viability,” said Hisham Negm, a graduate student co-leading the study with Rodrigue.   

The university notes final findings from the survey will be published in a report on the TRAM website in summer 2025, which will be communicated to public transit agencies and policy makers across Canada. The research is funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The survey will close Nov. 1.