Use public transport

Buses, trains and trams all use far less resources than cars. Increased use will lead to a better service and you can read, listen and relax as you go to and fro.

Efficiency, civility and community are characteristics of cities with well run, resourced public transport systems. Trains and trams are 40+ times more energy-efficient than cars (and 90+ times more efficient than aircraft). So as we try to reduce our personal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions from car and aircraft use, public transport provides an ideal alternative that is available to all right now.

How to do it now!

Use public transport

Most states and territories have public transport systems (to greater or lesser degrees) and the following sites highlight the online information to get you started before you set off.

South Australia - Adelaide Metro, BusSA (Regional SA)
Victoria - metlink (Melbourne Metro), Viclink (Regional Victoria)
New South Wales - Transport infoline 131500 (Sydney and surrounding area), Country Transport (Regional NSW)
Queensland - Translink
Western Australia - Transperth (Perth Metro), TransWA (Regional WA)
Tasmania - Metro
Northern Territory - Bus & Ferry Services

Why is this action important?

Transport accounts for a significant portion of most people’s personal CO2 emissions. Reducing the amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses entering the atmosphere has been identified as a key component to addressing climate change. Reduced car use, increased car efficiency and carbon neutralizing, via offsetting your emissions, can lead to both a carbon- and cost-neutral solution.

Related actions

Environment

Through reducing our car use, we are lowering the amount of the many harmful gases entering our atmosphere and causing harm to our environment. In today’s society, however, it’s hard to get away from the car completely – so through funding activities that absorb the emissions we ‘have’ to have, we are starting to address the issues of climate change.

Wellbeing

Sitting in a car at traffic lights in peak hour traffic is not the most enjoyable way to be spending your time, in addition it can be stressful negotiating the traffic when high volumes are on the road. Through using public transport or using a bicycle, we can eliminate this stress, as well as know that we are making a difference.