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Public transportation is the eco-friendly way to get around—it eases traffic congestions, reduces emissions and lets you people watch, read, or relax. In many cities public transportation systems are comprehensive and inexpensive, sophisticated and useful. But to use public transportation (trains, busses, fairies or boats) efficiently and comfortably can take a little know-how. Read Planet Green's Top Tips for Eco-friendly Public Transportation.
Top Tips for Using Public Transportation (To its Fullest Green Potential)
Start Small: If you're not accustomed to taking public transit, begin with one day a week and work your way up to a daily routine. Don't overwhelm yourself and fail. Start small and succeed.
Pass on Planes: In the sliding scale of environmental evils, plane use ranks pretty high with notably egregious carbon emissions. For trips under 100km, drive, take a train or bus. Don't fly if you don't have to.
Telecommute: You know you want to work from home, so why not do it? Save you and your boss money (gas, cubicle maintenance, etc.). Who needs or wants to fly to a boring meeting cross-country? Video conferencing can reduce 99 percent of the energy used for a trans-continental flight.
Buy Fare Saver Subway/Bus Tickets: While ditching the car to take the bus or subway will save you money no matter how you do it, fare saving options like monthly, off-peak and repeat tickets will give you the most for your money and encourage you to take the train or bus. That's ecologically and economically smart.
Did You Know?
- 14 million Americans take the subway every day
- Riding a bus is 79 times safer than driving your own car
- If 1 in 5 Americans took public transportation, we'd reduce carbon emissions 20%
For more on Public Transportation Tips check out Planet Green's Guide, How to Go Green: Public Transportation. For more on Going Green, check out the Planet Green How to Go Green Archives.
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