How to reduce petrol consumption?

Question

Can introduction of efficient and high frequency public transport system in major cities of USA help?

Answer 1

I think so. When I lived in canada, I never felt I had to use a car, the metro system was efficient and got me around wherever I wanted at a reasonable cost. Also, I lived downtown so there was no need to commute to far off places.

We can also reduce petrol consumption by sharing, for example

hitching a ride with a co-worker to the workplace. My brother did that with a co-worker. They live not too far away, but their work is

one hour away from where they live, so they alternate on who drives to work.

Try to benefit from the excercise of cycling or walking instead of driving if the destination is not too far.

Answer 2

Not really,most of the population does not live in major cities. And in smaller places the public transportation doesn't run enough or go enough places to be use full.

Answer 3

Before the WWII most american live close to work or commute to work on pubic transportation.

After the WWII they started building suburbs and most people started living far away from work - AND started driving.

Unless we change the layout of the WHOLE country (like move back into the cities - or move the jobs out to the suburbs), the need to get around won't change.

And THAT is our core problem - we HAVE to move around - to the job, house, supermarket, etc.

Good Luck...

Answer 4

Public transport must be ingrained within the culture of the people. That is not the case in most American cities, where owning a car (and many cars) is part of the American dream. The most notable exception is NYC where people commute all the time.

I lived in Miami for 5 years, where everyone owns cars. But I decided to commute for 4 of those years. It was tough, but I saved so much money. But that's not the American way. Americans want to own stuff, even if they have to spend the rest of their lives paying it off.

I big drive now is fuel efficient cars. Presently hybrid electric cars offer high MPGs. In the future, fuel cell cars may be much more environmentally friendly than present day cars.

Answer 5

This is a hot topic. There are many ways one can reduce fuel consumption.

If you don't live far from work, try walking or cycling. All you have to do is start early.

Pooling can help. You can do it on a rotation basis. Suppose you have three coworkers. One day, all of them ride in one coworker's vehicle, the next in yours, and then in another coworker's and so on.

Use public transport whenever possible. Cheaper, and saves fuel. Yes, an efficient public transport system would help, but people should be encouraged to use it as well

If you live far from work, and no coworker lives close enough to pool, and you don't really feel like public transport, then try getting a more fuel-efficient vehicle.

Of course, this doesn't just apply to you. Spread the message. Efforts should start from the individual level, but it will only have effect if a lot of individuals make efforts.