Evaluating Public Transit As An Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Strategy

This report investigates the role public transit improvements can play in conserving energy and reducing emissions. Critics argue that transit is an inefficient strategy since on average it uses almost as much energy per passenger-mile as driving, and more than some commercially available cars. However, this reflects the inefficiency of public transit services intended to provide basic mobility, which requires operation at times and locations with low demand. Public transit is more energy efficient on major urban corridors.