And a strong public transit system is better for an area’s poorest residents, who can least afford a private car.
And when policymakers tip the scales toward public transit, they can unlock broader, shared benefits. These include lower greenhouse gas emissions, and good opportunities to take further climate action. For instance, cities can upgrade their train systems and bus fleets to run on clean electricity instead of fossil fuels—an easier task than nudging many car owners to do the same. But the benefits also include less urban sprawl, better air quality,4 and fewer traffic accidents. And a strong public transit system is better for an area’s poorest residents, who can least afford a private car.