Public transit makes a comeback this summer

Summer vacation season is upon us, and that means a lot more mobility in people’s lives. Attractions will be more crowded, parking spaces more elusive and waiting times in general will be longer.

In the case of transportation, it seems more Americans are becoming more conscious of their cars and the inconveniences that can result from their use this busy summer vacation season. This comes from a survey carried out by the American Public Transportation Association released last week.

There were 33,000 adults surveyed and the main reason to favour public transportation is to save money. 28 percent said that while visiting a city this summer, they will make a point to use buses, trains or metros to get around.

62 percent of those surveyed cited economical reasons were behind the decision to leave the car at home at use the public transit on offer. 61 percent said that not having to find a parking space was their main aim when opting for a train or a subway.

In the ever-growing environmental awareness bracket, 39 percent said they would choose public transport to help reduce their own carbon emissions. American cities like New York, Boston, San Francisco and Washington will see the most traffic on their systems, with New York having the highest percentage of people choosing the public system over cars, with 48 percent of travellers using subway maps instead of road atlases.