by: Julianne Boulton
In our daily routines we regularly make decisions on how we are going to get from point A to point B. Travelling alone in your own car might be an easy option but it isn’t the greenest or the most cost effective mode of travel. A study of American transit buses conducted in 2009 found that a passenger car carrying just one passenger emits almost four times more CO2 compared to a heavy-duty transit bus carrying 40 passengers or more than six times more CO2 compared to a heavy-duty transit bus carrying 70 passengers. This means that the amount of CO2 emissions reduced can be higher in developing countries where the number of passengers in a bus during peak times can be much more.
Additionally, if more people used the bus instead of their individual cars, this would mean less congestion. Less congestion during rush-hour traffic can mean that everyone can enjoy a better journey while getting home from work. Less congestion also translates into less travel time, which would further decrease carbon emissions. Taking the bus in busy urban areas or during high traffic times can result in a lot of less stress as well. While travelling by bus I like to catch-up on some reading, which I wouldn’t be able to do if I had to concentrate on driving. The expenditure of operating a car isn’t limited to just fuel charges but includes wear-and-tear expenses, insurance and parking charges. This would make travelling by bus almost always cheaper as well.
Bus travel may not be suitable for every journey. The distance to the nearest bus stop, amount of time available for the journey, the amount of luggage being carried are some of the factors that will need to be considered. If the bus is not suitable there may be other greener options that you could consider. Car-pooling can be an useful alternative. More passengers in a car would divide not only the amount of CO2 emitted but also divide the cost of the journey among the passengers. If you like the independence that travelling alone gives, you could always use a bicycle which will eliminate any fuel costs and you would be getting some exercise without having to additionally schedule it into your daily routine. There is always the completely free option of walking if your destination is close enough.
Comparing the pros and cons of all the modes of travel that are suitable for a specific journey can help us make a conscious choice towards more sustainable travel. By striving to reduce our carbon footprint we can also save money and have a much more enjoyable journey.