Metros Reduce Car Use in European Cities, Trams Do Not
Car use and its related impacts continue rising as cities grow globally. This study shows that medium and large European cities with metro systems depend far less on cars.
Although car ownership and usage keep increasing worldwide, causing more pollution and urban sprawl, active mobility and public transport are encouraged for their health, economic, and environmental advantages. However, public transport effectiveness varies significantly.
Comparison of Public Transport Modes
Metro systems provide a high-capacity, long-distance option but are costly and exist only in a limited number of cities. Trams are often seen as an alternative.
The study compares the modal share of transport in European cities with metros, trams, or neither, using data from CitiesMoving.com. This database consolidates and standardizes mobility surveys worldwide following the ABC framework:
- A: Active mobility
- B: Bus and other public transport forms
- C: Cars
Key Findings
Cities with metro systems show a significantly lower proportion of car trips than those with only trams or no rail system.
This highlights the metro’s effectiveness in reducing car dependency in urban settings, while trams do not have the same impact.
Summary
Metros strongly contribute to lowering car use in European cities, unlike trams, which do not significantly reduce car journeys.
Author's conclusion: Metro systems effectively decrease urban car dependency, underscoring the importance of investing in high-capacity rail over trams for sustainable mobility.