Report Confirms Public Transit is Good for Northern Virginia’s Environment
The "Climate Benefits of Transit in Northern Virginia" report concludes that while personal vehicles are a major cause of pollution, riding trains and buses can mitigate these emissions.
The "Climate Benefits of Transit in Northern Virginia" report concludes that while personal vehicles are a major cause of pollution, riding trains and buses can mitigate these emissions.
Photo: NVTC
2 min to read
A new report from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) finds the use of public transit in Northern Virginia reduces up to 160,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year and that even diesel-fueled buses provide greater benefits to the environment than people driving in cars, SUVs, and light trucks.
The use of public transit in Northern Virginia reduces 120,000 to 160,000 metric tons of CO2 annually.
All bus fuel types, even diesel buses, are a much greater climate option than using cars.
While electric cars might eventually produce fewer emissions per mile than fossil fuel buses, electric cars need to make up a much larger proportion of on-road vehicles before other bus fuel types become better options.
There are opportunities for the region’s jurisdictions and transit agencies to learn from each other when it comes to developing policies that consider how transit could benefit the environment.
What does 120,000 to 160,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide mean?
Photo: NVTC
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"Transportation is the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with over half of those emissions generated by cars, SUVs and pickup trucks," said NVTC Sr. Program Manager Xavier Harmony, who co-authored the report with Senior Program Analyst Sophie Spiliotopoulos. “Despite improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency, transportation emissions have been creeping steadily upward for decades."
"As Northern Virginia continues to attract new residents and businesses, we need to think about ways to make it a healthy region for our children and grandchildren. This report bolsters what we already know," said NVTC Chair Matt de Ferranti, "Encouraging as many people as possible in our region to ride public transit is good for the environment. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion, helping save our climate for generations to come."
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