Passion for Transit

Public transportation reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution

Did you know that every vehicle on the road releases an average of one pound of CO2 per mile driven? That adds up to a lot of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. By taking public transportation instead of driving alone, you can reduce your CO2 emissions by 45%, according to UCLA. That means less pollution in the atmosphere and better air quality for everyone.

Public transportation also helps reduce other harmful pollutants that can cause respiratory diseases, such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. According to Greentumble, public transportation can save up to 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually in the U.S., which is equivalent to planting 5 billion trees!

Public transportation benefits low-income commuters and improves access to opportunities

Public transportation is not only good for the environment, but also for people who depend on it for their daily needs. Many low-income households lack cars and need assistance in finding jobs outside their primary resident area. Public transportation can help them access more employment opportunities and increase their income potential.

According to NASCSP, public transportation can also lower household expenses by freeing up income for other uses. In 2000, transportation costs accounted for 36 cents out of every dollar spent in the poorest fifth of American households, 98 percent of which was spent on purchasing, operating and maintaining their cars. If reliable transit options were made available to more non-urban areas, it would allow more low-income households to distribute more funds to other essential expenses.

Public transportation fosters healthier and more equitable communities

Public transportation is not only good for your wallet, but also for your health. By taking public transportation instead of driving, you can get more physical activity by walking or biking to and from transit stops. This can help you prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Public transportation can also reduce stress by improving access to education, health care, social services and recreation. According to TransLoc, 12 percent of transit riders are traveling to schools and almost 60 percent are going to work. Public transportation can also reduce social isolation, especially for older adults and people with disabilities who do not drive.

Public transportation can also promote social equity by reducing disparities in mobility and access among different groups of people. According to Health Affairs, inadequate public transportation can increase social and economic inequalities by limiting opportunities for low-income residents, minorities, children, persons with disabilities and older adults. By providing affordable, reliable and accessible transit options for everyone, public transportation can help create more inclusive and diverse communities.

How Covid-19 affected public transportation usage

The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on public transportation usage around the world. According to APTA, public transit ridership declined by 79% in the second quarter of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019 in the U.S., due to lockdowns, social distancing measures and reduced travel demand.

However, as vaccination rates increase and restrictions ease, public transit ridership is slowly recovering. According to APTA, public transit ridership increased by 21% in the third quarter of 2020 compared with the second quarter, and by another 15% in the fourth quarter.

We are hopeful that as people start commuting more, they will choose public transportation over driving alone, for all the benefits it offers for themselves and their communities.