It’s hard to notice if your commute is taking longer every day due to traffic congestion because the change is so gradual. Then along comes a study that highlights how dramatic the delays have become.

Several major GTA highways got significantly slower between 2006 and 2008, according to the provincial ministry of transport. Thankfully, half of the roads that were measured did not show worsening congestion — but others practically coagulated.

Some stretches of road have special lanes for high occupancy vehicles, which means bus riders and carpoolers can bypass traffic — but this is not an option in many corridors.

As gridlock spreads across the GTA, transit users will be affected in two ways. Buses that travel in mixed traffic will move more slowly and become less evenly spaced — they will be more likely to travel in packs. To liberate transit vehicles from congestion, we need to build more dedicated lanes but these may have to be carved from existing roadway space. This in turn worsens congestion.

Also, a greater number of motorists will eventually have to leave their cars at home and try squeezing onto streetcars, buses and trains. Even though the province has embarked on one of the largest transport upgrades in the world, the planned road and rail expansion won’t offset the huge growth in car use that is expected in coming decades.

Queen’s Park needs to calculate what it will cost to ensure traffic does not come to a halt on key arteries. Then we as a society must decide how — or if — we’re going to pay for increased mobility.

Readers, over the last year have you noticed serious problems with heating or air conditioning onboard transit vehicles? Please let me know via transit@eddrass.com.

Toronto-based transport writer Ed Drass covers transit issues every Monday; transit@eddrass.com.