In North America, the average individual taking public transportation spends about 45 minutes commuting one way each day. This equates to about 398 hours per year and thus ways to reduce traveltime are imperative. Rather than attempting to reduce travel time directly, changing the perspective ofhow commuting time is spent by improving the productive use of time provides a more cost effectivesolution. This paper explored and measured the extent that bus commuters are currently using their timeactively during in-vehicle travel time. Heckman's selection method was used to incorporate passengerswho do not use their time actively to correct for sample selection bias and model the decision to use timeactively as a two stage process. Average quantity and quality of primary activity time was found to be 20minutes and 66%, respectively, where 66% is a relative measure compared to the same activity conductedat a home or office environment where the quality would be 100%. The impact of ICT is predominant inalmost all models tested, with degree of crowding and gender being a major factor in one's choice to usetime actively. Given that individuals are able to make use of their transit commute time productively,commuters will in hope be more attracted to use transit by having this advantage over driving. If beingproductive does have an influence on an individual's travel mode choice, there could be huge implicationson traditional transportation modelling and demand and quality management.
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