Public transport comprises all transport systems in which the passengers do not travel in their own vehicles. It is called public transit or mass transit in the U.S.A and Canada. While it is generally taken to mean rail and bus services, wider definitions would include scheduled airline services, ferries, taxicab services etc. — any system that transports members of the general public.
The term rapid transit refers to fast public transport in and around cities, such as metro systems.
Public transport can be faster than other modes of
travel; prime examples are in cities where road
congestion can be avoided, and for long distance travel
where much higher speeds are possible than are permitted
on roads.
Some of these types are often not for use by the general public, e.g. elevators in offices and apartment buildings, buses for personnel or school children, freight trains, etc.
In addition one can alight from and usually board a taxi at any road where stopping is allowed. Some fixed route buses allow getting on and off at suitable unmarked locations along that route, typically called a hail-and-ride section.
must be bought in advance, one can not physically enter the railway platform etc. without, due to a turnstile or guard (usually found in metro)
must be bought in advance as a voucher for a user-determined amount of money, which is encoded on the ticket by electronic, magnetic, or optical means. A fare is deducted automatically each time the ticket is used upon system entry, or both entry and exit where the fare is variable by distance (newer installations)
must be bought in advance, one can not physically enter the vehicle etc. without, due to a turnstile or guard (usually found in metro)
must be bought in advance, one is checked by a conductor, etc., upon entry (usually found on buses in North America and Western Europe. and on commuter rail systems)
must be bought in advance, one is checked randomly by a ticket controller; Honor System (usually found in Eastern Europe)
can be bought on entering the vehicle or during the ride
sometimes the ticket can be bought both in advance and during the ride, then the fare may be higher in the latter case, see also Conductor (transportation); in this case buying in advance is often possible at the point of departure, but usually not at a tram or bus stop
Special tickets include:
passes for unlimited travel within a period of time
passes for unlimited travel during a given number of days that can be chosen within a longer period of time (e.g. 8 days within a month)
multi-ride tickets
discount tickets valid for someone with a discount pass, etc.
Dordrecht - bus and ferry, some saturdays at the end of each year
Noordwijk/Oegstgeest - Leiden Transferium - The Hague, express bus, running on weekdays during daytime, free of charge as a test during 2004; it is intended for commuters working in The Hague and living in Leiden or beyond who would otherwise travel by car to the Hague, to promote parking the car at the Transferium and continuing the journey by bus; the aim is to reduce road traffic congestion between Leiden and The Hague. The test is paid by the province of South Holland.
short-distance 'public transport' such as elevator, escalator, moving sidewalk (horizontal and inclined); these are often part of a larger public transport system or business (e.g. shop) of which the products and services are not free.
free bicycle services have been run in some places.
Other transportation services may be commercial, but receive benefits from the government compared to a normal company, e.g.,
direct payments to run unprofitable services.
government bailouts it the company is likely to collapse (often applied to airlines).
tax advantages, e.g., aviation fuel is typically not taxed.
reduction of competition through licensing schemes (often applied to taxi and airline services.)
allowing use of state-owned infrastructure without payment or for less than cost-price (may apply for railways).
One reason many cities spend large sums on their public transport systems is that heavy automobile traffic congests city streets and causes air pollution. It is believed that well maintained, high volume public transport systems alleviate this. Many complex factors affect the outcome of spendings in public transport, so success in reducing car traffic is not always assured.
Another reason for subsidies for public transit are the provision of mobility to those who cannot afford or are physically incapable of using an automobile and those who reject its use on environmental or safety grounds.
For the latter a key requirement is that travelling through the night costs less than a nearby hotel. This may especially be the case with a rail or bus pass.
Another example are the Interurban rail services operated by CityRail out of Sydney, Australia. Fairly comfortable trains operate as moving accommodation between Sydney and Lithgow or Newcastle during the night, trips of approximately 2½ hours. Age, Disability and Sole Parent pensioner excursion fares are $3.30 and $2.20 (Australian Dollars) for an all day ticket.
Wealthier commuters from the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and South Coast also commute to well paying jobs in Sydney on CityRail Interurban rail services, and are often known for sleeping on services during the morning peak to compensate for the early rise. It is customary not to speak on such services, to give evil stares to people who (knowingly or otherwise) use their voice above the slightest whisper without moving into the vestibule, and to give even filthier looks to any train guard who dares to use the public address system when disembarking from such services.
