Key Findings of the Report
A recent report by office commute platform MoveInSync reveals that a typical office-goer in Hyderabad spends approximately 312 hours per year commuting between home and work. This translates to 39 working days lost in transit. The study highlights worsening traffic conditions in Cyberabad, the city's largest employment hub and the center of its booming technology economy.
The average one-way commute in Hyderabad has increased to 60 minutes in 2026, up from 58 minutes in 2024. The average commute distance has risen to 22.7 kilometers from 21.9 kilometers, while traffic congestion has climbed to 25%, compared with 23% in 2023. Commuters in Hyderabad spend more than 123 hours a year stuck in traffic.
Impact of Rapid Economic Growth
Deepesh Agarwal, CEO of MoveInSync, attributed the worsening commute to Hyderabad's rapid economic expansion. "Cyberabad has witnessed one of the highest growth rates in the country over the past five years, with multinational technology and services firms continuing to add jobs and office space. However, the infrastructure connecting homes to workplaces has struggled to keep pace with that growth," he said.
While Hitec City is connected to the metro network, major employment clusters such as Gachibowli and the Financial District continue to lack direct metro access, forcing a heavy reliance on private vehicles, company cabs, and road-based transport.
Hybrid Work and Its Paradoxical Effect
Interestingly, despite the rise of hybrid work models, traffic congestion has worsened. Employees now work from offices an average of 2.5 days a week, or roughly 10 days a month, yet congestion levels continue to rise. Wednesdays see the highest traffic volumes, followed by Tuesdays and Thursdays (around 90%), as many employees work remotely on Mondays and Fridays, often extending weekends.
Metro Ridership Decline
Data showed Hyderabad Metro’s daily ridership has dropped to approximately 4.2 lakh passengers from over 5.6 lakh. There is a reported 10% drop in ridership following the hike in ticket fares by L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited, which built and operates the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited.
What Readers Should Know
Solving the last-mile challenge through feeder services, shuttle networks, and shared mobility options that can seamlessly connect commuters to office campuses is equally important to encourage greater use of public transport. "If people who drive alone choose shared transport, public transit or carpooling even one day a week, traffic volumes could reduce substantially," Agarwal added.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does an average office-goer in Hyderabad spend commuting annually?
According to MoveInSync, a typical office-goer spends about 312 hours per year commuting, which equals 39 working days.
What is the average one-way commute time in Hyderabad in 2026?
The average one-way commute has increased to 60 minutes in 2026, up from 58 minutes in 2024.
Why has Hyderabad Metro ridership declined?
Hyderabad Metro daily ridership dropped from over 5.6 lakh to about 4.2 lakh passengers, partly due to a 10% fare hike by L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited.
What solutions does MoveInSync CEO suggest to reduce traffic?
Deepesh Agarwal recommends shared transport, carpooling, and improved last-mile connectivity through feeder services and shuttle networks.
Source: www.thehindu.com