Can we sustain our trains?

by Fred Horch, Principal Advisor, Sustainable Practice.

45% of Americans have no access to public transportation.

Bicycles are best for sustainability, but when pedaling is a problem, a good option is public transit — where it exists. Unfortunately, almost half of the North American population cannot take a public bus, trolley, or train. What can we do to improve this situation?

Are smaller autonomous electric vehicles the future of public transit?

Here’s a “sustainable seven” list of practical steps we can take:

• Learn why the United States and Canada don’t (and won’t) have the high-speed trains that Europe and East Asia have. Knowledge is power — understanding how we got here will help us find a way forward.
• Understand ride-hailing networks — and how they affect public transit. New technology creates new opportunities.
• Study the transit systems of cities before you go, so you can take advantage of the public transit we do have.
• Ride electric trains or subways whenever possible.
• Bring along a bicycle if you can, to extend the reach of public transit.
• Plan for autonomous electric vehicles to replace fuel-burning buses.
• Support public transit by voting for bond issues and buying bonds.