Would you be more inclined to take public transportation if it was free? Here’s a few good reasons why it should be.

Public transportation benefits the environment by reducing the number of people driving single-occupancy vehicles. More public transit riders mean more fuel conservation, decreased air pollution, and an overall reduction in our carbon footprint. Globally, one of the most significant contributors to climate change is burning fossil fuels, which happens every time we drive our car. When compared to single-occupancy vehicles, public transportation emits 95% less CO2 into the air.

Air pollution is becoming a major environmental and public health problem across the world. The Harvard Chan study found an association between people who live in areas with high levels of air pollution and the increased likelihood of Covid-19 mortality. The fight against climate change involves paying attention to those who are particularly vulnerable to its effects. The environmental benefits of free public transportation would simultaneously translate into public health benefits.

Since the pandemic, the public transportation industry has taken a decimating hit. Free rides would help bring back riders as we transition into a post-Covid world. Around 100 cities across the globe offer free public transit, the vast majority in Europe, and have had great results. Also, a handful of free-fare experiments were done in recent years in U.S. cities like Denver and Austin, which increased ridership right away.

It should be recognized that public transportation is a basic need, not a luxury. For a lot of people, buying a metro card means setting aside the money to do so. Implementing a more reliable, efficient, and free public transport system would help fight climate change and increase the lacking equity in our cities. Whether you ride it or not, we all have a stake in the air we breathe.

Photo: D.C. metro map

Read more about climate change and public transportation: https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/Resources/resources/reportsandpublications/Documents/greenhouse_brochure.pdf