Cost and Benefits of Driving compared to public transport (Essay Sample)

Name Course Institution Date Cost and Benefits of Driving compared to public transport Introduction The increase in the level of congestion and air pollution in most of the major cities in the world is directly attributed to the hasty increase in the number of private automobiles use. Therefore, to achieve a reverse in the decline in the value of life in these cities, there need to attempt to persuade people to make less use of private automobiles and public transportation more. Survey shows that people are increasingly using private cars which results to more cars on the road that lead to heavy traffic jam and air pollution which contribute to the serious damages in the environment as well as the human health (Edwards, web video). The best way to solve this problem is to encourage car drivers to use more of the public transport system. The use of public transportation greatly saves money. First, individuals do not have to use much money purchasing their cars. Second, individuals get to save money as they do not have to spend on fuel every other time. When it comes to the cost of using public transportation, the bus, and taxi fares are affordable as compared to the cost of the purchasing the oil. It means that people will not have to use a lot to their money in buying gas they need to fill their tank (Levy, Chapter, 12). They also do not have to find parking places where their cars could be safe. It has been observed that with the use of private automobiles, people tend to waste a lot of time. First, during the parking, people waste a lot of time looking for parking spaces. If they have the parking spaces, they will still waste time trying to find where their cars could be safe till evening. Moreover, private automobiles waste a lot of time when it comes to the heavy jams in the cities. Close to every individual in the city centers own private cars. Therefore, when every individual gets to the city center with their cars, a lot of time is wasted waiting for the traffic jam to pen up. Unlike the private automobiles, the public transportation system has been made to be fast and convenient for city residents (Edwards, web video). When it comes to the saving of the environment, public transportation is utterly environment-friendly. Public transportation is, at least, three times as energy efficient as the private automobiles. In a day, private cars consume much fuel that would otherwise be used for three days by the public transportation system. Additionally, the use of public transportation helps in the reduction of the carbon dioxide emission. Carbon dioxide is responsible for the acid rain that is harmful to both plants and humans too. Moreover, carbon dioxide results in respiratory complications in humans. Inhalation of carbon dioxide emitted in the atmosphere is, therefore, hazardous to the human. Research studies suggest the carbon dioxide inhalation kills as many people as the road accidents (Edwards, web video). Public transportation also cultivates a sense of community among member of the public. For instance, individuals traveling together in the bust are more likely to feel a sense of community connection as compared to those who are traveling in their private automobiles in isolation. When using the public transportation, one is likely to get to know other individuals. It starts from greetings to discussing current or emerging political issues, and people get to know each other. Despite the fact that private drivers are only paying the direct cost of operating their automobiles, the entire public is paying the rest of the cost. We all pay the cost regarding congestion, road maintenance, accidents, pollution, and time wastage. It is estimated that a single busload is equivalent to 40 private cars on the road during the rush hour; it saves over 70,000 liters of fuel and keeps away from releasing 175 tonnes of emissions every year. One public transportation bus can, therefore, replace close to 50 single occupancy automobiles. Therefore, using public transportation rather than private cars cuts down GHG by close to two-thirds (Edwards, web video). There are lots of other possibilities that the federal government can explore to help in reducing the numerous disadvantages resulting from the rising numbers of private automobiles. Rather than just encouraging the public to take advantage of the cheap public transport system, the government can also encourage the public to take advantage of the beneficial active transport. Active transport involves walking and riding a bicycle. Currently, the bicycle is increasingly becoming a popular means of transport. The federal government through the right channels and agencies can help encourage individuals to adopt active transport as an aspect of healthy living (Edwards, web video). These active forms of transport provide a wide range of advantages. First, active transport helps to reduce congestion in the overall transport network. It also helps in the reduction of the environmental impacts resulting from the automobile emissions. Active transport also improves the public health and reduces the cost of healthcare. Additionally, this form of transport improves the wellbeing of the community and the social cohesion. Therefore...