Welcome to The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we will be comparing the environmental efficiency of public transit systems in Milan, Italy and Abbotsford.
This summer I was accepted into a study tour program in Italy, where I currently am. In Milan, I hopped on a tram, transferred to the metro, and arrived downtown in under 20 minutes. In Abbotsford that same trip would’ve taken two buses and over an hour, if the buses were even running. This led me to an interesting realization: in Abbotsford, I have to plan my day around transit; in Milan, I lay out my day with the confidence that public transit will adapt to my plans.Â
But why take public transit in the first place? Taking public transportation reduces CO2 emissions by 45 per cent when compared to driving solo, resulting in improved air quality, less noise pollution, and significant reduction in water and soil pollution in the long-term.Â
Now, how is Milan’s commute different when compared to Abbotsford? Let’s take a quick look at some statistics.Â
Milan has an extensive public transport service, which includes metro, tram, buses, and trains. Approximately 57 per cent of all trips in Milan use public transportation, indicating reliance on sustainable commuting options. Milan has one of the highest rates of car ownership in Europe, but the city came up with creative solutions. They implemented “Area C,” a congestion charge zone in the city centre, and “Area B,” a broader low emission zone covering about 75 per cent of the city, to reduce traffic and pollution by limiting how many and what types of cars go into certain areas of the city. Even though it sounds drastic, the city hopes to see their emissions cut in half by 2026.
I recognize that comparing a city like Milan with a population of 3.2 million people to our little Abbotsford with only 164,000 inhabitants is unfair, but being here and seeing the variety of people that use public transit and bikes is astonishing. There seems to be less stigma around using transit here; people from different economic statuses use it. People in full formal work attire are sitting next to a tourist and an old nonna with her groceries in the metro.Â
I am left with a question that I feel is worth sharing with you, dear reader: how can we make public transit better in Abbotsford? I do not necessarily mean the most logical answer, like having more frequent buses or better planned routes. But in what ways can we make public transit more attractive, comfortable, and efficient? We must find a way to make transit for everyone and not just for those of us who do not own a car.Â
As the Lorax once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” So, let’s care.Â
