What is Public Transport?
Public transportation is a way for people to save money on fuel, save time, and get to where they need to go. Streetcars, subway trains, buses, ferries and airlines are all forms of public transport. This mode of transportation is available to the public, and it can be subsidized via fares or the taxes we all pay. More populated areas usually have a variety of public transport types.
One of the most common types of public transportation is the bus. Passengers get on and off the bus at predetermined stops along a route; buses vary in size but almost all have seating and an aisle for passengers to stand in when the bus is crowded. When a passenger wants to get off the bus, they let the driver know, usually by pulling a cord or ringing a bell above the seating area. Buses are typically available in bigger cities, or between smaller towns.
Subway systems, light rail and elevated trains are also a common form of urban transport. While the subway operates underground, elevated trains and light rail are above the ground. Unlike public buses, rail systems don't have to deal with traffic and can get passengers where they need to go more quickly. Some rail systems, such as the one in Vancouver, British Columbia, operate at a high capacity and on a completely automated basis.
Some countries offer airline service as a form of public transport. Air travel provides the opportunity to cover a great distance in a short amount of time. Airlines owned by countries typically offer lower fares than commercial airlines because they are paid for by that country's tax revenue. Where there are no roads, "bush" airplanes are an option. Areas near water may operate sea taxis or ferries to move people between islands, or across bays or rivers.
In some parts of the US and Europe, public transportation can include bicycle rental. Passengers simply buy a pass either at a rental station or online, take a bike from the station, and ride it where they need to go. Bikes can be rented for as little as one day, and can be returned at any rental station. There are similar services that allow people to rent cars by the hour; these are offered in limited locales.
Most kinds of public transportation are funded by the fares passengers pay, and are at least partly tax-subsidized. Many kinds of public transit offer discount passes for those who frequently use the service. Schools and employers may offer free passes to their students and/or employees, and some travel packages include discount or free public transportation passes. Those who use public transportation should learn the rules- in some cases, eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited.
Public transportation serves a variety of purposes. Some people don't want, or cannot afford to own their own car, and use it as a way to get to jobs, errands and other destinations. Public transportation helps to take a lot of traffic off the roads, and it provides access to transportation to those who live in rural areas. There are almost as many reasons to use public transportation as there are different methods of transport.