How do busses affect climate change?

On average, cars emit almost one pound of carbon dioxide per passenger mile. Buses, which generally run at about 25 percent capacity, emit 0.64 pound of CO2 per passenger mile, according to data from the Department of Defense.



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Public transportation gets people where they're going while emitting far fewer climate-warming greenhouse gases than private cars. The reason is simple efficiency: while cars usually carry just one or two people at a time, a bus can carry 50 or more, and a train in a large city may carry thousands.

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“From the point of view of both congestion and pollution, intercity buses are the least polluting form of transportation out there,” said Hamilton, vice president of the ATU and former head of the Greyhound local. “The only thing that has less carbon footprint is walking and bicycling.

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Disadvantages of Public Transport
  • The commute by public transport can be slower than by personal vehicles. ...
  • As public transport vehicles don't stop at specific destinations, you must take care of your travel from the stand or station to reach your desired stop.
  • Privacy is a big issue in public transport.


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Mathews points to research showing that trains emit the lowest of CO2 per passenger mile at 177 grams per passenger mile. Buses come in at 299 grams per mile, second-worst only to cars at 371 grams.

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A bus or train ride emits three to seven times less emissions than an airplane flight. Two people who take a bus instead of driving (even a hybrid!) will cut their CO2 emissions by half!

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Public transportation gets people where they're going while emitting far fewer climate-warming greenhouse gases than private cars. The reason is simple efficiency: while cars usually carry just one or two people at a time, a bus can carry 50 or more, and a train in a large city may carry thousands.

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Environmental Impact of School Buses That's the equivalent of 3.75 pounds of carbon dioxide for every mile driven. Electrifying the entire fleet of U.S. school buses would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 8 megatons per year and reduce emissions from all U.S. buses by 35%.

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Every vehicle on the road releases an average of one pound of CO2 per mile driven. Compared with driving alone, taking public transportation reduces CO2 emissions by 45%, decreasing pollutants in the atmosphere and improving air quality.

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In a recent study at the University of California at Berkley, researchers discovered that commuters are more inclined to stop using public transit if they experience delays which can be blamed on the transit agency. (Most people will forgive other inconveniences such as traffic, emergencies or mechanical failures.)

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Plus in certain destinations bus travel is a necessary obligation. However there are disadvantages, too – the buses are often overcrowded and dirty and the frequent stops that make buses so easy to catch also make them a slow means of getting from A to B.

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Being active helps with physical health, and taking transit instead of driving reduces stress. Buses are also safer than individual vehicles. By leaving the car at home, a person can save up to 20 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every day. Buses keep the air cleaner.

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In fact, propane-burning school buses emit more carbon monoxide than diesel-burning school buses and just as many greenhouse gases — the only benefit of propane-burning buses over diesel are for nitrogen oxide emissions, AFLEET data demonstrates.

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