Among our American climate heroes is the mass transit user. Public transportation riders in the US save 855 million gallons of gasoline per year, for an 8.5 million ton reduction in CO2 emissions compared to if they drove. In America's 85 largest urban areas, public transportation prevented 1.1 billion hours in time lost to traffic jams. The riders themselves can save even more -- hundreds or even thousands of dollars in driving and parking costs, and for some even the cost of an entire car. For their commitment to public transit they get precious extra time each day to read, doze, or chat with other fine commuters. Of course, public transit doesn't work for everyone, but if it's a possibility in your life, you may find that there is value for both you and the climate.

After years of neglect, transit is rebounding in America. Transit systems all over the US are expanding and refurbishing. Ridership has grown by more than 23% since 1995. That's good, because a recent report by the American Public Transportation Association argues that "greater use of public transportation offers the single most effective strategy currently available for achieving significant energy savings and environmental gains, without creating new government programs or imposing new rules on the private sector."

If public transit is convenient for your travels, it can reduce your stress levels, save you money, create useful time in your day compared with driving, and is a great way to reduce your climate impact. If just 10% of US passenger car travel were instead on mass transit we would save 75 million tons of CO2. Transit is safer too -- rail transit is 14 times safer than car and buses are 26 times safer. Some bus and rail transit systems now feature wireless access, and many can also handle bikes, expanding the area you can access.

If you want to give transit a try for your next trip, the first step is to locate the stops and routes nearest where you live, work, and shop. (No convenient stops or routes? Do something about it by asking for improvements.) Look online for a schedule and map. Some regions have sophisticated transit resources online where you can enter your trip starting and ending points and time of departure or arrival, and they will provide you a trip plan. With a plan or schedule in hand, walk, bike, or park, then ride. Use your first few rides to suss the routes -- the stops, any transfers, the general mix of riders and what they do with their time. After a little practice you'll know if you're ready to make the switch more often. If you took your first ride and it didn't work out, try using transit another time for a different route. Unless you live in a well-served city, transit won't be a good option for every type of trip, so expect a little trial and error in matching your trips to transit use.

We know you hate looking like a rookie. Here are some transit basics to help you look metro pro:

  • Know your route and have your fare ready. Quick questions are okay, but distracting the driver and fumbling for change slows everybody down.
  • Check with human resources -- many employers will subsidize a transit pass.
  • Use your transit etiquette. Move away from the entrance, give your seat up to those in need and take off your huge backpack so it doesn't inadvertently knock another passenger over when you turn around.
  • Edit yourself. Some civilized transit systems discourage cell phone use altogether, so be thankful and keep it brief.
  • Master the commuter fold. You bought fare for yourself, not the newspaper too.
  • Enjoy life's rich pageant. Public transit will expose you to a higher level of diversity than most people experience in their day to day lives. Live, learn, and don't stare.