Public Transportation

Getting from one place to another is a necessity for humans. We have had many inventions over the years that have helped us transport ourselves from place to place without walking. The most important was the invention of the wheel, which was first used by Mesopotamians around 3500-3000 B.C. [1] The wheel was used in other inventions like wagons, stagecoaches, trains, bicycles, and automobiles. There were even inventions to help us travel on water. The first of which were rafts. Later came rowboats, canoes, sailboats, steamboats, motorized boats, ships, and even submarines.

Richard Trevithick built the first locomotive that was powered by the steam engine.[2] This was the beginning of the railroad system that allowed people to travel quickly. Today we still use trains to transport goods and people. An example is our underground rail systems. The first underground rail system was created in London in 1863,[3] which gave way to the subways of today.

In 1878 Nikolaus Otto built the internal combustion engine.[4] This soon took the place of the steam engine and led to newer inventions. The first powered plane was built in 1903 by Wilbur and Orville Wright. Henry Ford created the Model T. in 1908. From these, busses and airplanes were built to carry lots of people.[5]

Cars became more and more popular as they became more affordable. They are now the primary form of transportation. Now, since so many cars dominate the road, we are experiencing problems. Exhaust is polluting the air, the excess carbon dioxide put out after burning fuel is contributing to global warming, traffic is heavy[6], and gas prices are rising. It is becoming necessary to do something about it.

The bus is a primary form of public transportation. Using it is a great way to decrease all of the problems created by cars and help our economy.

Environmental Benefits

Public transportation helps reduce the amount of vehicles on the road, therefore reducing traffic and pollution of our planet. Every year, public transportation prevents the emission of more than 126 million pounds of hydrocarbons, which cause smog, and 156 million pounds of nitrogen oxides, which can cause respiratory illness. Taking public transit to work every day instead of driving separately reduces vehicle exhaust emissions and pollutants every year by 3300 pounds.[7] In comparison with private vehicles, public transportation generates 95% less carbon monoxide, 92% less in volatile organic compounds, and about half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide per passenger mile.[8] These reductions will make us all healthier and clean up our environment.