Greta Jimenez
Buses are a significant source of pollution, with varying emissions depending on the type of bus and its occupancy rate. The Federal Environment Agency calculated average CO2 emissions of 93 grams per passenger kilometre for buses in 2022, with diesel buses emitting 96 grams and electric buses emitting 72 grams. Buses in the UK emit an average of 0.089 kg of CO2 per passenger kilometre, while in Germany, other bus transport, including coaches and non-commercial connections, emitted 42 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometre in 2021. The impact of bus emissions can be reduced by increasing occupancy rates, with public transportation offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly option than private cars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| CO2 emissions from buses in the UK | 4.3 million tonnes |
| CO2 emissions per person per year in the UK | 0.07 tonnes |
| CO2 emissions per person per year in Merseyside | less than 90 grams |
| Average bus occupancy in Scotland | 40% in the late morning, 80% in the morning peak |
| Average bus occupancy | 9 passengers |
| Average passenger load in a "conventional bus" in the US in 2006 | 9.22 |
| Average load in a "typical passenger car" in the US in 2006 | 1.58 |
| CO2 emissions from long-distance buses in 2022 | 31 grams per kilometre travelled and passenger |
| CO2 emissions from long-distance buses in 2021 | 37 grams per kilometre travelled and passenger |
| CO2 emissions from long-distance buses in 2019 | 30 grams per kilometre travelled and passenger |
| CO2 emissions from long-distance trains in 2022 | 31 grams per kilometre travelled and passenger |
| CO2 emissions from long-distance trains in 2021 | 46 grams per kilometre travelled and passenger |
| CO2 emissions from long-distance trains in 2019 | 27 grams per kilometre travelled and passenger |
| CO2 emissions from cars | 57-322 grams per kilometre travelled and passenger |
| CO2 emissions from buses | 22-92 grams per kilometre travelled and passenger |
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What You'll Learn
- Long-distance buses emit 31 grams of CO2 per kilometre travelled and passenger
- Buses are more environmentally friendly than cars, as they carry more passengers
- In 2021, trucks and buses were responsible for 27% of road transport emissions
- Public transport saves an estimated 1.4 billion gallons of gas annually in the US
- The average bus occupancy is only 9 passengers, impacting the CO2 cost per passenger
Long-distance buses emit 31 grams of CO2 per kilometre travelled and passenger
In 2022, long-distance buses emitted 31 grams of CO2 per kilometre travelled and per passenger. This is known as the passenger kilometre metric, and it is a way to measure the carbon footprint of different modes of transport. The same data from the Federal Environment Agency showed that long-distance trains were the second most climate-friendly mode of transport, emitting 31 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometre in 2022.
Compared to other modes of transport, long-distance buses have a relatively low impact on the climate. For example, the average greenhouse gas emissions of cars in 2022 were 166 grams of CO2 equivalents per passenger kilometre driven, with an average occupancy rate of 1.4 persons per car. This means that for many commuters, who typically travel alone, CO2 emissions are significantly higher. The most damaging type of car in terms of emissions is the diesel car, emitting 173 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometre, followed by petrol cars, which emit 165 grams. Plug-in hybrids emit 121 grams, but this depends on the driving style and location of use, as CO2 emissions increase if the built-in combustion engine is mainly used.
The most climate-friendly car drive system is the electric motor, with purely battery-electric cars emitting 79 grams of CO2 equivalents per passenger kilometre. However, it is important to note that this calculation only takes direct emissions while driving into account. The production of electric cars, especially the battery, can emit more greenhouse gases than the production of conventional combustion cars.
Aviation is by far the most damaging mode of transport in terms of emissions. According to the Federal Environment Agency, domestic flights had a carbon footprint of 238 grams per passenger kilometre in 2022. This is due to several complex atmospheric reactions at altitude, such as vapour contrails, which create an enhanced warming effect. In the UK, a "multiplier" of 1.9 is applied to aviation emissions to account for this.
Public transportation use is one of the most effective ways for individuals to conserve energy. A person who switches from a 20-mile solo commute by car to public transportation can reduce their annual CO2 emissions by 20 pounds per day, or more than 48,000 pounds in a year. This is equal to a 10% reduction in all greenhouse gases produced by a typical two-adult, two-car household.
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Buses are more environmentally friendly than cars, as they carry more passengers
Buses are a more environmentally friendly mode of transport than cars, as they carry far more passengers per trip. Cars usually carry one or two people at a time, while buses can carry 50 or more. This means that buses emit far fewer climate-warming greenhouse gases per passenger than private cars. According to the International Energy Agency, cars emit between 57 and 322 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per passenger kilometre (gCO2-eq/pkm), while buses emit just 22-92 gCO2-eq/pkm. In 2022, long-distance buses in Germany generated around 31 grams of CO2 per kilometre travelled and passenger, compared to 37 grams in 2021, and 30 grams in 2019.
The benefits of conventional transit buses are further enhanced by the growing number of "green buses", which include electric hybrid, all-electric, and other advanced technologies. In the US, the average passenger load in a conventional bus in 2006 was 9.22, slightly over one-eighth of the average load in a typical passenger car during the same year, which was 1.58. This means it takes around 5.83 passenger cars to carry the average load of a bus.
Public transportation use is one of the most effective actions individuals can take to conserve energy. A single person who switches from a 20-mile solo commute by car to public transportation can reduce their annual CO2 emissions by 20 pounds per day, or more than 48,000 pounds in a year. That is equal to a 10% reduction in all greenhouse gases produced by a typical two-adult, two-car household. By choosing to take public transportation instead of driving, a savings of 30% of carbon dioxide emissions can be achieved.
While cars are responsible for a large proportion of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions, public transit buses save an estimated 1.4 billion gallons of gas annually, which translates to about 14 million tons of CO2. In addition to reducing emissions, bus-only lanes in cities can also slow down other traffic, discouraging car use and leading to less traffic congestion and better air quality.
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In 2021, trucks and buses were responsible for 27% of road transport emissions
Transport is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022, the transportation sector was the largest contributor to US greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 28% of the total. Within the transport sector, cars, trucks, commercial aircraft, and railroads are among the largest sources of emissions.
It is worth noting that the impact of buses on the environment depends on various factors, including occupancy levels. Higher occupancy levels can help distribute the carbon footprint of a bus journey across multiple passengers, reducing the emissions per person. For example, long-distance buses are considered one of the most climate-friendly modes of transport due to their high passenger capacity. In 2022, long-distance buses in Germany emitted 31 grams of CO2 per kilometre travelled and passenger, compared to 37 grams in 2021, which was impacted by lower capacity during the pandemic.
To reduce emissions from road transport, a comprehensive mobility transition is necessary. This includes reducing private motorized transport and promoting public transport, active travel, and climate-friendly modes of transportation such as cycling. By switching from a solo commute by car to public transportation, individuals can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, improvements in vehicle fuel economy and the development of alternative fuels can help mitigate emissions, although these gains have been offset in recent years by increasing traffic volume and the proliferation of highly motorized vehicles.
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Public transport saves an estimated 1.4 billion gallons of gas annually in the US
Public transportation in the US saves an estimated 1.4 billion gallons of gas annually, according to the American Public Transportation Association. This is part of a broader 6 billion-gallon reduction in gasoline usage each year, which also includes communities' investments in public transit, reducing the nation's carbon emissions by 63 million metric tons annually.
Public transport is one of the most effective ways for individuals to conserve energy. It far exceeds the benefits of other energy-saving household activities, such as using energy-efficient light bulbs, adjusting thermostats, or switching to energy-efficient appliances. For example, a person who switches from a 20-mile solo daily commute by car to public transportation can reduce their annual carbon dioxide emissions by 20 pounds per day, or more than 4,800 pounds per year. This is equivalent to a 10% reduction in all greenhouse gases produced by a typical two-adult, two-car household. By removing one car from the road and having that person take public transportation instead, a 30% savings in carbon dioxide emissions can be achieved.
In addition to the environmental benefits, public transportation also has economic advantages. For instance, in 2011, public transportation prevented congestion costs from rising by nearly $21 billion in 498 urban areas.
While buses and coaches are a more climate-friendly mode of transport than cars and motorbikes, they still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In the UK, buses emit 0.07 tonnes of CO2 per person per year. This figure can vary depending on occupancy levels, with less popular and off-peak services running at lower occupancy levels. In Germany, long-distance buses generated around 31 grams of CO2 per kilometre travelled and per passenger in 2022. This figure was 37 grams in 2021 and 30 grams in 2019.
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The average bus occupancy is only 9 passengers, impacting the CO2 cost per passenger
The transportation sector is a significant contributor to carbon dioxide emissions, with road transport being the main driver of these emissions. Buses, along with trucks, account for a considerable portion of these emissions. While buses are more climate-friendly than cars, the average bus occupancy rate of 9 passengers impacts the CO2 cost per passenger.
A survey of bus occupancy in four cities in Scotland found that occupancy levels varied from 40% to 80% during peak hours, with less popular and off-peak services operating at much lower occupancy levels. This results in a higher CO2 cost per passenger, as the emissions produced by the bus are divided among fewer passengers.
The CO2 emissions from bus transportation averaged 0.39 pounds of CO2 per passenger-mile in 2019. However, this number can vary depending on the type of bus operation. For example, transit buses, which often operate at a fraction of their capacity, averaged 0.95 pounds per passenger-mile. On the other hand, intercity buses, which include charter and tour buses, averaged 0.15 pounds per passenger-mile.
The impact of low bus occupancy on CO2 emissions is significant. As buses become more occupied, bus companies may increase the frequency of services or deploy larger buses. This can lead to a higher average marginal cost of CO2 emissions per additional passenger. Additionally, governments play a role in subsidizing minimum bus service levels, influencing the carbon use not accounted for by passengers.
To reduce the CO2 cost per passenger, increasing bus occupancy is crucial. This can be achieved through a comprehensive mobility transition, encouraging the use of public transportation, and reducing the reliance on private motorised transport. By doing so, individuals can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to conserving energy.
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Frequently asked questions
Buses emit 22-92 gCO2-eq/pkm, while cars emit between 57 and 322 gCO2-eq/pkm. In addition, a passenger car carrying one person emits 89 pounds of CO2 per 100 passenger miles, while a full bus emits only 14 pounds.
The total UK vehicle km by buses is 5.2 billion per year, giving a total CO2 emission of 4.3 million tonnes, or 0.07 tonnes per person per year.
Buses emit more pollution than long-distance trains, walking, and cycling. However, buses emit less pollution than passenger cars, particularly when they are close to full.
