Many of us take modern means of transportation for granted as the average American household has nearly three cars parked in its driveway. While personal vehicles are certainly the most populous example of automobiles on our nation’s highways, it is a fact that such a high concentration of personal vehicles results in higher levels of emissions and gasoline spending. Keeping this in mind, many Americans have reconsidered the benefits of bus travel as public transportation once again takes a place of prominence in a more environmentally aware world.
Buses in Our Society
While airports are some of the most popular means for long-distance travel in actuality there are five times as many motorcoach terminals across the nation as there are airports and six times as many bus terminals as there are intercity railway terminals. Although city-wide transportation can be found in any major metropolitan area, motorcoach services cater to the over 14 million rural United States residents as the only available mode of public transportation available to them. Every year motorcoaches account for 751 million passenger trips, covering more distance in some years than some commercial airlines by some figures.
Environmental Awareness
Public transportation services have seen a resurgence of interest due in large part to the popularity of environmental activism as embodied by the “green energy” movement. Studies have found that motorcoaches and other buses emit less carbon dioxide per passenger mile when compared to other forms of transportation including many passenger vehicles. A single full motorcoach actually has the potential to remove 55 vehicles from the highway; not only does this reduce congestion on the road but this can also significantly cut back on our nation’s reliance on fossil fuels and reduce highway emissions. Many buses are now outfitted with hybrid engines that can further cut down on emissions and gasoline use; it won’t be long until fully electric motorcoaches occupy our streets and completely eliminate emissions.
The Benefits of Bus Travel
Although the environment certainly seems to receive a number of benefits of bus travel, there is additional research that suggests that charter bus services and similar services are actually significant contributors to local economies. Every year motorcoach traveler and tourist demand generates over $55 billion in economic transactions with a single motorcoach spending just one night at a destination generating as much as $11,660 for the local economy through meals, lodging, and other expenses. The demand for goods and services created through motorcoach tourism, combined with the new sales and industry equipment purchases, can generate new jobs for an estimated 792,700 people. For those looking to schedule a destination vacation while leaving a lighter impact on the environment, or for those simply looking for a ride to work, consider buses as one of the most efficient and practical modes of transportation available in our modern world!
