Many people argue that governments should prioritise investment in public transport over the construction of new roads. In my view, putting money into public transport, such as buses, metros, and trams, is good for the environment as well as the country in the long run.
On the one hand, public transport is by far one of the cheapest means of transport available nowadays. Citizens having low income or on a budget can find this extremely useful to travel from one place to another. Additionally, when the government invests more in public transport, it can overall improve the climatic conditions as well as the atmosphere. For instance, investing heavily in electric buses/trains, like Japan, can significantly cut down the toxic gases being emitted from these vehicles. Furthermore, not everyone can afford a private car or expensive fuel. Therefore, it can be a great alternative for students, workers, and the elderly.
Secondly, public transport, being budget-friendly, can significantly reduce the number of people driving cars. Moreover, it can help them save more money, which can be used on other needs, boosting the country’s domestic economy. On top of that, urban development becomes smarter because of cities growing around transport hubs (like metro stations). Likewise, in the long run, the maintenance costs will be much cheaper than taking care of newly built roads and overbridges. Finally, since the number of residents using public transport will be more, jobs for drivers as well as people like mechanics, conductors, station managers, and transport planners will be augmented, spiking the job economy.
In conclusion, I completely agree with the view and firmly believe that it is much wiser to spend money on public transport, instead of constructing new roads.