Climate & Environment
Public Transit
Definition
Public transit is shared passenger transport available to the general public on fixed routes and schedules, including buses, bus rapid transit, trams, metros, suburban rail and ferries. Per passenger-kilometre it carries people with a fraction of the energy, emissions, space and cost of private cars, making it a structural pillar of sustainable mobility.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Public Transit” is defined and used.
Source imported for editorial provenance.
Overview
How it is used
The term structures urban mobility planning, climate mitigation modelling for transport (the "avoid-shift-improve" framework's shift pillar), and equity analysis of access to jobs and services.
Why it matters
Transport decarbonisation cannot be achieved by vehicle technology alone; shifting trips to transit is indispensable for congestion, air quality, equity and climate goals.