We all need to get around. And, for more and more people, public transport has become their number one choice for travel.
Why is this? Well, public transport can be a cheaper, easier, faster and greener way to travel. A recent Stagecoach study showed that travelling by bus can be up to 80% cheaper than commuting by car, saving households up to £3000 a year*.
Not only does public transport offer greener journeys by cutting carbon emissions, buses, coaches, trains and trams also offer a solution to the problem of congestion within our town and city centres.
Public transport can be used for a whole variety of journeys, including:
- Get to work
- Go to the shops
- Get to University or College
- Have a night out
- Go to the doctor
- Visit friends and relatives
- Get to business meetings
- Go to sporting events
Of course there are some journeys where it may be appropriate to use a car but, by practicing intelligent car use, and whenever possible using public transport as an alternative to driving, you can save money, time and stress as well as reducing your carbon footprint.
Below are a number of ways in which you may be able to reduce your carbon footprint by trying out different alternatives to the car – why not see if you can try a different suggestion every day for a week?
You can combine using public transport with other forms of healthy living. For example:
- Get off the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way home – this will ensure you get exercise and fresh air while reducing your carbon footprint
- Take the bus or train to business meetings instead of driving – it is kinder to the environment and will allow you to use the travel time to work
- If possible, jog, cycle or walk to work instead of taking the car – just give it a try!
- Make a point of walking, jogging or cycle on journeys less than three miles long to improve your health and reduce your carbon footprint
- Don’t leave the engine running when stationary – this will conserve fuel and reduce the damage done to the planet
- Use Park and Ride facilities to save you the stress of driving and parking in towns and cities
- Drive more efficiently – avoid sharp acceleration and heavy braking and slow down to improve fuel consumption
- Start carpooling – share your journeys with others where possible to reduce your carbon footprint
- Share the school run with other parents – this could save you time and help do your bit for the environment.
