Cars.com shared new data revealing more than a third of Americans are currently working from home and commuting less, which puts a greater emphasis on their personal vehicle. Sixty-six percent of workers are saving valuable time by not commuting, leaving subway cars, bus seats and train platforms largely empty as they continue to ditch the office.

"Workers are saving up to an hour or more a day by not commuting and finding significant value in this newfound gift of time. And when they do finally return to the office, it won't be via mass transit. Personal vehicles will dominate the work commute as distrust in public transport and ride-sharing continues,” said Matt Schmitz, assistant managing editor for Cars.com.

According to the new Cars.com study, 62 percent of workers swap public transportation for their car. In terms of COVID-19,  43 percent of Americans lack faith in fellow passengers to abide by health and safety protocols, while 57 percent at least moderately trust other passengers.

Twenty-one percent have purchased a car in the last six months, with 57 percent saying it was due to the pandemic.
Majorities of bus riders and subway/commuter rail riders are riding less frequently.