WORLD PUBLIC TRANSPORT DAY

Using one method of transportation in a group to travel around, typically in an urban area, is referred to as public transport. Every year, the 10th of November is observed as International Day of Public Transport to raise awareness of the negative environmental effects of increasing traffic density and to motivate people to use public transportation and conserve fuel.

Public Transport Day (Source : Pinterest)

Transportation accounts for one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, and for many people, the switch from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles is one of the most visible and understandable aspects of the energy transition. When it comes to electric vehicles, 30 countries and the six largest automakers have announced that they will aim to sell 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Ford, Mercedes, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz are among the manufacturers that have signed up.

Humans have always had to leave their homes in order to get food, employment, or social interactions due to the expanse of the earth and the scarcity of resources in one place. People who are going in the same direction or to the same place can save money and travel more efficiently by using public transportation because the expense is split among everyone and this was the main reason why public transport started. The earliest known mode of transportation is supposed to have been animal-drawn ferries. The wheel was invented approximately 3,500 BC, but it wasn't employed for a chariot until 1,600 BC. At this time, the idea of greater distance travel by road was feasible.

Asia, North America, and Europe all have major differences in urban public transportation. Public transit networks are typically run in Asia by profit-driven, privately held, and publicly traded mass transit. Municipal transit authorities are most often in charge of running public transport systems in North America. In Europe, mass transit systems are mostly run by both state-owned and private businesses.

International variations in public transportation use and coverage exist due to geographic, historical, and economic factors. In contrast to many New World cities, which have more sprawl and considerably less comprehensive public transportation, countries in the Historic World typically have vast and regular systems serving their old, packed metropolis. In recent years, some wealthy cities have reduced their use of public transport. Many sources believe this trend is due to the growing popularity of relatively inexpensive remote work, rideshare services, and car loans in many countries. Larger cities such as Toronto, Paris, Chicago, and London have seen this decline and are trying to intervene by lowering fares and promoting new modes of transportation, such as electric scooters and electric bicycles. Increased investment in public transport is pointed out by many experts as a key tactic to mitigate climate change, as its use produces fewer emissions and other environmental impacts than private transport.

According to a 2002 study by the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute, public transportation in the United States uses about half the fuel used by cars, SUVs, and light trucks. Furthermore, in this study, "private vehicles emit about 95 percent more carbon monoxide, 92 percent more volatile organic compounds, and about twice as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide than public vehicles for every passenger mile travelled". Using public transportation instead of driving the 20 miles (32 km) round trip per person could save 4,800 pounds (2,200 kg) of net CO2 emissions per year. Public transport can reduce traffic congestion and promote more efficient land use, thus reducing not only travel but also carbon footprint. Considering this, it is estimated that 37 million tons of CO2 will be saved per year. Another study found that in the United States, using public transportation instead of private transportation could have saved 3.9 million tons of CO2 emissions in 2005, resulting in less traffic congestion and an additional 3 million ton of CO2 saved. Based on 2005 values, this equates to total savings of approximately 6.9 million tons per year.

India's road network is the second busiest in the world after the United States, carrying 8.225 billion passengers and over 980 million tonnes of freight annually as of 2015. India's rail network is the fourth busiest in the world, carrying 8.09 billion passengers and 1.2 billion tonnes of freight annually as of 2020. However, both rural and urban India rely on public transport, spending 90% of total transport costs on buses, trains, auto-rickshaws and taxis, according to a new study released by the National Sample Surveys Organisation (NSSO). Let's hope this follows in foreign countries as well.

The impact on wider society and civic life is that public transportation breaks down social and cultural barriers between people in public life. Public transport also provides a testing ground for environmentally friendly alternative fuels, such as hydrogen vehicles, by substituting materials to create lighter public transport vehicles with equal or better performance. Educating the public about the positive environmental impacts of using public transport while raising awareness of the potential economic benefits is an important first step in making a difference. This ultimately results-in, trees and vegetation will stand longer, and the people in the margin of streets, especially the elderly and children, will feel healthier.

This November 10th, take a pledge to work towards the environment, enlightenment, and future. I am hopping on a bus to the station. What are you hopping on?

						~ Abhay ShashiKant Pandey

Many governments are looking to discourage car journeys and promote alternatives. (Source : World Economic Forum)