We’re back on our never-ending sojourn about why leaving the car behind is such a good idea. There are numerous statistics from government and research bodies that show why trains and buses are often a much better choice than driving a car, particularly in terms of safety, environmental impact, and cost. Here are a few: they matter.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have found that public transportation significantly reduces carbon emissions. The average car emits about 404 grams of carbon dioxide per passenger-mile. A full bus emits about 38 grams of CO2 per passenger-mile, a 90% reduction. An electric commuter rail train, when running on a full passenger load, can be even more efficient. And these stats are from the USA, who are some of the least fuel-efficient users on the planet.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) reports that public transportation saves the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually. A single person switching from a 20-mile car commute to public transit can reduce their daily carbon emissions by 4,800 pounds per year.
The big draw here is Individual Savings: The APTA estimates that a household can save an average of $10,000 per year by taking public transportation and living with one less car. This figure accounts for the combined cost of gas, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, and parking. Societal Savings: By reducing traffic congestion, public transit systems save the U.S. an estimated $5 billion annually in avoided traffic delays. These systems also lead to a decrease in the societal costs of car accidents, air pollution, and reliance on foreign oil. In summary, the statistics clearly show that choosing trains and buses over driving a car is a safer, more environmentally friendly, and more cost-effective decision for both individuals and the broader community. The bottom line is that it all is in our hands now. What will you do? Do the right thing. Click Flix here