Many people dismiss public transit as a viable option for regular and daily commuting. Most assume owning a car will be more convenient and efficient, especially with advances in self-driving technology and luxury features. However, there’s still a lot to be said on behalf of the public transportation system!
Electing to use city buses, shuttles, and other public transit vehicles can greatly benefit both you and your community. The next time you’re headed to work or have to travel across town, consider these reasons why you should choose public transportation!
1) You’ll save money.
Did you know that it takes, on average, over $7,000 a year to own a car and keep it on the road in America? Using public transportation will help significantly reduce these costs—or eliminate them entirely if you forgo a personal vehicle altogether!
Save on expenses like gas, maintenance, and parking when you choose public travel. As an added bonus, you’ll also be putting the cost of your fare back into the community and generating jobs in the public sector.
2) Public transportation is safer than a car.
You might think a bus or shuttle is more dangerous than traveling in a personal car because of its size, but that actually makes it safer! Strategic safety features are built into the very design of the public vehicles you’re riding. With more metal around you and a greater force on the road, you’re less likely to get hurt in an accident.
Additionally, buses and subway cars are better and more regularly maintained than a personal vehicle. Not to mention the extensive training required to operate a bus!
3) Help the environment.
Buses have a smaller carbon footprint than any other motorized mode of transportation. They expend less energy per passenger, per mile compared to a standard car.
A large public transportation vehicle moves its passengers more efficiently by taking more single-occupant vehicles off the road. A typical city bus has a capacity of 40-80 people depending on its size. In terms of air pollution, that’s one vehicle’s worth of fuel emissions in place of that number.
4) Have extra time to relax.
As much as you might try, you can’t truly relax when you’re driving a car. You have to be alert and focused at all times to keep you and those around you safe. When someone else is driving though, you free up that commute time for yourself!
Spend your ride to work enjoying the sights of your city or listening to your favorite playlist. Bring a book to enjoy or a laptop to get a jump start on the day. There’s no need to pay attention to traffic or worry about the rules of the road when you’re just the passenger.
5) Live a healthier lifestyle.
People who take the bus and other forms of public transit are more active than their sedentary driving counterparts! Regular exercise and physical activity lower the risk for a lot of increasingly common and serious diseases—diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, etc.
You’ll get three times the number of steps in walking to and from stops and destinations than you will from your driveway to your home or parking lot to your office. Many public vehicles also require or have the option for you to stand, giving you the opportunity to burn even more calories.
At Northwest Bus Sales, our mission is to help individuals, businesses, agencies, and groups of all kind find efficient transportation to support their needs. That’s why we offer a wide selection of quality new and used buses that have been fully serviced mechanically and are even available for delivery! Browse our inventory online or take a tour of our sales yard to find a vehicle that’s right for you!
