Why do we need sustainable public transport?
Road transport causes 11.9% of global greenhouse emissions[1], so developing sustainable public transport systems is essential if we are to prevent climate change.
While electric and (eventually) hydrogen-powered vehicles are better than petrol and diesel, they still encourage individual travel, which causes microplastic pollution from tyre wear and creates congestion. We need mass public transport systems that are fit for the future.
Imagine a public transport system that:
- regularly connects all our villages and housing estates with town centres, employment areas and transport hubs
- is affordable, maybe even free
- is powered by renewable energy
- is reliable
- is regular enough that you can get rid of your car altogether and still get everything done
It could happen, with political will and significant investment, and it could create a lot of “green” jobs.
How can I help get a sustainable public transport system?
- Write to your political representative asking for more routes, more frequent services and higher subsidies. (Feel free to use the text above to help compose your email.)
While one letter won’t change anything, trust that your letter will eventually be one of thousands, evidence of a groundswell of public opinion that they can’t ignore. - Encourage other people to write as well.
- Find out what bus services people in your area want, get actual numbers, and write to your local bus company asking for that route.
- Set up or join a local on-demand bus service like HertsLynx, which allows anyone to travel anywhere they want to go in North & East Hertfordshire for very little cost.
- Use it! Public transport routes are closing all the time because the government cut subsidies, so the routes aren’t profitable any more. Nearly-empty buses are loss-making, but full ones can still make a profit, so those routes stay open.
- Encourage your teens to use the bus instead of Mum/Dad’s taxi service.
- Encourage anyone with time on their hands to use the bus, to help keep the route open.
- Find out if your local bus or train company has a user group and join it so you can influence local decision-making.
How can I contact my MP or political representative?
In the UK, you can find out who your MP is and how to contact them on They Work For You.
In the US, you can find out who your representative in Congress is here.
Reference:
[1] Ritchie, H., Roser, M. and Rosado, P. (2020) Emissions by sector. Our World in Data. Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector (Accessed: March 22, 2023).
Image credit: photo by Flor Nájera on Unsplash