An interesting perspective on our commuting choices is offered by the Boston Globe Spotlight Team. The data shows that most employers’ commuter benefits are ineffective in swaying workers’ decisions to drive or take mass transit in and around Boston. The reason offered is that driving to work is a deep cultural habit that is difficult to break.

While I agree that public transportation cannot match the comfort of one’s car, there are definitely larger issues with the system as a whole. Its outdated equipment, chronic delays, and an ineffective radial design may stand in the way of our desire to seek alternatives to sitting in traffic.