What mode of transportation do you use the most?

What keeps Riverdale moving? That’s the question we sought to answer in this week’s opinion poll.

Participants from throughout Riverdale and surrounding neighborhoods were invited to share with The Press how they move about their days. Residents let us know when they prefer to walk versus drive, how buses and trains factor into their weekly errands, and whether they frequently utilize a personal vehicle to get where they need to go. They also shared some of the pros and cons they experience when it comes to navigating their days.

The poll asked participants what mode of transportation they use the most, whether it be for errands, commuting or getting to fun activities in the evenings. Those who responded could choose the bus, subway, biking, walking, driving a personal vehicle or utilizing a vehicle service. They could also select “other” if the presented options did not adequately represent how they tend to get around.

The majority of respondents selected the bus or the subway as their most frequent mode of transportation, with 28.6% selecting the bus and 21.4% selecting the subway. The next most popular choice was driving a personal vehicle, with 14.3% selecting that option. Walking, biking and utilizing a vehicle service each received an equal amount of responses, and were the least popular choices.

A solid portion of participants, or 14.3%, selected “other,” and elaborated on the intricacies of their daily movements. The breakdown of responses is illustrated by the graph above.

Those who selected “other” tended to do so because they use multiple modes of transportation with similar frequency. Some said they walk when their destination is in Riverdale, and drive when they need to go farther, or that they are split between their own car and utilizing car services. One respondent explained that they would likely drive more often if it were easier to find parking.

Residents also had the option to share their thoughts on transit in the area more generally. Among those who chose to share their thoughts, several commented that they find they have many transportation options, while others said a car is a necessity to get around the area. Some said bus service in the area has gaps and long wait times that leave them looking for options. Several respondents also said they have concerns about too many riders boarding buses without paying. Another said they wish the area had increased access to the subway system.

Participate in the next poll

There is still time to submit responses to our next opinion poll, which will close at noon on Friday, Oct. 30. In previous polls, a common thread emerged in participants’ responses and comments: Riverdalians have ideas about what should go in vacant storefronts. So this week, we are asking residents to let us know what businesses they would like to see in the area.

Maybe you’d like to have more grocery store options, more specialty dining options, or maybe you want certain services closer to home. Let us know what you think is missing around our northwest Bronx neighborhoods.

The poll can be accessed here.

Respondents will also have the opportunity to let us know what they would like to see covered or polled next.

Personal information collected in polls is for verification purposes only, and will not be published. Responses missing required information will not be included in the final data. Respondents are limited to one response per person.

For those who do not wish to take the polls, but would still like to submit their opinions or tips, our inboxes at letters@riverdalepress.com and newsroom@riverdalepress.com are always open as well.

Alexa Lewis is editor-in-chief of The Riverdale Press.