Have you thought about how much better it is to use public transport when you can?
The Energy Saving Trust reports that “replacing car journeys with public transport can reduce your CO2 emissions by 42% if using the bus and 73% if using the train”.
Not only that, but public transport also presents a number of other benefits:
- potential cost savings – you only pay for the journeys you take
- helps you be more active from walking between stop and destination
- reduces congestion and improves local air quality
- better use of your time, allowing you to check your messages, read your book or catch up with friends and family while you travel
- more social – being around others is good for our overall wellbeing and public transport helps create a sense of community
Give it a try – the next time you’re popping out why not travel by bus or train rather than the car.
If you can use public transport enough that you no longer need to own a car then it can become much more cost effective. Even if selling your current vehicle means you have to occasionally hire a car, the reduction in upkeep costs, MOT, tax, insurance, and parking charges could more than make up for the cost of bus or train fare. In addition, if you do need to hire a vehicle, you always get to have the right vehicle for the task such as a bigger car for a holiday or a small electric car for shorter trips.
