University of Toronto Mississauga
OP-16: Commute Modal Split

Data on student commuting was collected through a comprehensive survey distributed to the entire student body on November 2, 2023. The survey was structured into three distinct sections. The first two sections were aligned with AC-6 Sustainability Literacy Assessment and EN-6 Assessing Sustainability Culture. Section 3 specifically delved into commuting behaviour, capturing valuable insights into the students' transportation habits. Participants were probed about their commuting patterns for each semester from May 2022 – April 2023, offering valuable insights into the frequency of their commute per week and the modes of transportation they took, along with the distances typically travelled.

The survey remained accessible for a period of two weeks, with a strategically timed reminder email sent midway through the data collection period to encourage increased participation. As an incentive for engagement, participants were given the opportunity to enter a draw for gift cards redeemable at UTM food services.

The survey, with a response rate of 3.5%, gathered insights from 361 participants, providing a representative sample of the student population at UTM. The total percentage of students using more sustainable commuting options was calculated based on this sample.

Data on employee commuting was collected through a comprehensive survey distributed to all staff and faculty on July 19, 2023. The survey was structured into three distinct sections. The first two sections were aligned with AC-6 Sustainability Literacy Assessment and EN-6 Assessing Sustainability Culture. Section 3 specifically delved into commuting behaviour, capturing valuable insights into the employees' transportation habits. Participants were probed about their commuting patterns for each semester from May 2022 – April 2023, offering valuable insights into the frequency of their commute per week and the modes of transportation they took, along with the distances typically travelled.

The survey remained accessible for a period of three weeks, with a strategically timed reminder email sent midway through the data collection period to encourage increased participation. As an incentive for engagement, participants were given the opportunity to enter a draw for gift cards redeemable at UTM food services.

The survey, with a response rate of 14%, gathered insights from 181 participants, providing a representative sample of the employee population at UTM. The total percentage of employees using more sustainable commuting options was calculated based on this sample.

UTM's high proportion of students who use sustainable means of transportation is largely due to the success of the U-Pass program. The U-Pass is a universal transit pass that provides the user with unlimited trips on MiWay, Mississauga's local transit system. A U-Pass holder simply shows the MiWay driver her or his U-Pass card and T-card (UT student ID) when boarding. A mandatory U-Pass fee is automatically charged to each eligible student's U of T account. All full-time and part-time undergraduate and UTM-affiliated graduate students are eligible for the U-Pass. Staff are currently unable to participate in the U-Pass program.

The UTM campus is extremely well-served by public transit, with multiple MiWay (Mississauga's public transit service) routes stopping on campus. Brampton Transit also stops on campus, and there are routes that link the campus to GO transit and the Toronto transit system. In addition, the campus bus shelter is fully enclosed and heated to make improve comfort for those who are waiting for the bus during winter.