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franckdethier, flickr
The term "mass transit" typically refers to public transportation capable of moving quantities of people from one place to another efficiently. Mass transit is generally considered part of a community's infrastructure and can be operated by the community otself or by an appointed "authority." Types of common mass transit include subways, trolleys and light rail, commuter trains, van pool services, paratransit services for senior citizens and people with disabilities, ferries, water taxis, and monorails.
Mass transit serves not only the members of a community but also those who live in outlying areas. Suburban commuters, for example, can utilize light rail or buses in order to be transported quickly and efficiently to the city center.
Mass transit, because of its design, has an overall lower impact upon the earth than does personal transportation. Modern buses are often operated on biofuels, and commuter trains are frequently electric. High-speed rail is an eco-friendly alternative to shorter domestic flights in Europe and Japan. A 2002 study by the Brookings Institution revealed that private vehicles in the U.S. use about double the amount of fuel as public transportation. Mass transit is considered to be an important part of what is required to create sustainable community living.
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