National Geographic Reveals the World’s Transit Superstars

moscow.jpgGuess where these people are. Photo by danncer via Flickr.

National Geographic released the results of their annual Greendex consumer survey yesterday, ranking the environmental friendliness of housing, transportation and eating habits in nations around the world.

Sadly, only one nation can boast that a majority of its population rides transit at least once a day… the surprising answer comes after the jump.

Russia ranked the highest on the Greendex scale, with 52 percent of respondents reporting daily or near-daily use of transit. Hot on its heels was China, where 43 percent reported very frequent transit rides. More than four out of five Chinese surveyed ride transit at least once a month, according to the Greendex.

On the flip side, only one nation reported a majority of travelers who never use transit: the U.S. An eye-popping 61 percent of Americans steer totally clear of rail and buses, with just 11 percent riding at least once a month.

Americans also ranked the lowest on the Greendex’s walking-or-biking scale, which measured how many people reported frequent use of either mode of transport. Just 26 percent of U.S. travelers use their bikes or their feet most often, a far cry from Mexico’s 48 percent and Britain’s 52 percent walking-or-biking scores.

Yet the Greendex isn’t all bad news for the U.S. Asked for the reasons why they forgo transit, the number one reply from Americans was that the option simply isn’t available — suggesting that a sustained investment in expanding transit options would have a significant effect on traveling habits.

And as bad as Americans’ driving habits are, we managed to avoid placing last in the driving-alone index. France is the biggest offender, with 80 percent of its travelers burning fossil fuels solo at least once a week.

The U.S. also narrowly avoided last place in the bike index, where 52 percent of Britons reported owning at least one bicycle, compared with 55 percent of Americans. (Swedes were the most common bike owners, with an impressive one-third reporting that they have three or more bikes.)

The entire survey is worth a look. I wonder how well members of Congress would fare…

(h/t Grist)

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

STREETSBLOG USA

The “Choice” vs. “Captive” Transit Rider Dichotomy Is All Wrong

By Angie Schmitt |
The conventional wisdom about transit often divides riders into two neat categories: “choice” riders — higher-income people with cars — and “captive” riders — lower-income people who must use transit because they don’t own cars. But this framework can undermine good transit, according to a new report from TransitCenter [PDF]. In the attempt to cater only to “choice” riders or “captive” […]
Portland-hop-freepass
STREETSBLOG USA

Portland Debuts a Fairer Way to Pay for Transit Fares

By Angie Schmitt |
It makes perfect sense to provide bulk transit passes, which often lead to higher ridership. But these fare structures pose a problem for people who aren't in a position to scrape together the cash for a pass and pay for a whole month of transit rides one fare at a time. They may end up paying more than wealthier riders for the same amount of service, even though they can least afford it. Now Portland's transit agencies -- Trimet, C-Tran, and the city's streetcars -- are showing the way to a fairer system.

What’s the Secret to World-Class Transit Systems? Congestion Pricing

By Noah Kazis |
Top transportation officials from three global cities — London, Singapore and Stockholm — shared their experiences in expanding the use of transit at a panel at the Regional Plan Association’s annual conference last Friday. Eyeing those cities, it’s easy for New Yorkers to get jealous. “I was, in many ways, salivating,” said MTA chief Joe […]

The Gas Needle and the Damage Done

By Elana Schor |
NRDC’s depiction of how hard states are hit by gas costs, ranked by percentage of income spent. America’s oil addiction is readily acknowledged, even by its biggest enablers. But what is the nation actually doing to kick the habit and embrace a safer, healthier, more realistic energy future?  An attempt to answer that question was […]