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Report: New Yorkers Have Longest Commute In The Nation

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Getting from point A to point B really is half the battle – and that is particularly true when it comes to commuting to work in New York City.

As CBS 2's Elise Finch reported Wednesday, New York City workers spend an average of 48 minutes getting to work, according to the Partnership for New York City. That is more than 13 minutes longer than the national average.

The news comes as no surprise to New Yorkers, who are used to people elbow-to-elbow on subways and buses and cars bumper-to-bumper on crowded roadways during rush hour.
"I think it's just in general -- a lot of people moving around the city," said Stirling Collins of Westing, Conn. "You know you get used to it. "

"I used to take the subway up, and then I just figured out it was easier to walk," said Morgan Sider of Chelsea.

The partnership found that nearly 1 million people travel into the city for work every day, and 3.7 million city residents commute for jobs within the five boroughs. That makes for the average daily commute of 48 minutes one way.

"That's the norm," said Patricia Smith-King of Queens. "That's normal with the traffic, especially in the morning"

"I take the 2 Train, which is a drag because there's always a sick passenger; there are always delays," added Pius Amoh of the Bronx.

The study also found that more people are driving, because public transportation just cannot take them where they need to go.

"People work in other places besides Manhattan," said Michael Adorno of Queens. "Getting into Manhattan, no problem. Getting every place else is almost impossible sometimes without a car."

The Jobs Blueprint report suggests the city increase bus service between Brooklyn and Queens, continue work on the Second Avenue subway line to reduce crowding and expand Staten Island Ferry service to the South Shore to better connect the rest of the city with the borough.

The report also suggested expanding transit schedules, and adding new routes in the Bronx and Brooklyn as they become bigger job centers.

The study said reducing commute times does not just provide people with a more pleasant travel experience, but it will also boost their productivity once they arrive at work.

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