March 11, 2023
By Janset Çinaz
Editor
For billions of people throughout the world, public transportation serves as an essential connection to other people, places and opportunities. Despite the fact that public transportation is less common in small towns like Lyndhurst, I still love it for a number of reasons.
I grew up in Bursa, Turkey, a large city where everyone traveled by bus or train. When I was seven years old, my mom had my very own metro card printed, and she required that I carry it with me at all times in case of emergencies.
When I was nine years old and first moved to the United States, I was startled by the lack of public transit in Lyndhurst. I noticed that practically everyone owned a car and that taxis were uncommon. Since not everyone can afford a car, the lack of accessible public transportation has always seemed problematic to me.
As I got older and started doing my own research, I realized that I still have access to public transportation. Taking the train to New York City has become one of my favorite activities, and I am so grateful for this mode of transportation, especially since I do not yet have a driver’s license.
Even if I had a car and driver’s license, I would still use public transit when going to New York City. Using public transit is far less expensive than paying for gas, parking and tolls. For example, it only costs me $10.50 to travel round-trip to New York City.
Using public transit is far less expensive than paying for gas, parking and tolls.
Additionally, using public transit is safer than driving. This is true not only for the operators’ driving skills and training but also for the safety of the vehicles themselves, which are maintained far more regularly than personal vehicles. The chances of a person being involved in a car accident is far more likely than being in a bus or train accident. In fact, a person is 17 times more likely to die driving the same distance in a car than on a train, according to research conducted by Vox.
Taking public transportation also saves time. Usually, a person can schedule their full day in advance by estimating when they will arrive at their destination, which is a really good advantage for people with busy schedules. Trains and subways are generally not impacted by traffic, and buses have access to bus lanes that prevent them from becoming trapped in traffic.
Finally, compared to a normal car with a single driver, public transportation dramatically reduces air pollution per passenger mile by saving fuel. Since air pollution can create serious health issues such as lung diseases and premature death, it is crucial for people to take measures to prevent it.
Whenever possible, I recommend taking public transportation because it has many advantages and is an excellent alternative to driving when traveling to or within a city. Although owning a car can feel liberating and offers a sense of privacy, I’m happy to have access to public transportation options.
