Discover How Climate Change is Shaping Public Transit Use: Insights from a University of Oregon Study

EUGENE, Ore. — A recent study from the University of Oregon is revealing how climate change is influencing public transit use.

The findings might surprise you. Over nearly 20 years, researchers found that extreme weather events, like intense heat and heavy rainfall, led to a drop in public transit usage, especially for buses.

When the weather turns harsh, people often avoid waiting for transit. Nicole Ngo, an associate professor at the University of Oregon’s School of Planning Public Policy and Management, explains that this pattern could guide city planners and transportation officials in tackling climate change challenges.

“More studies are showing how climate change affects travel choices,” Ngo said. “Most look at just one city for a short time. Our research spans the nation and shows these effects are widespread. This is important for transit agencies to consider.”

The study examined data from 48 cities across the U.S. from 2002 to 2019, just before the pandemic. It compared ridership numbers with severe weather events and looked at factors like median income. The results showed that lower-income areas are hit harder by cold weather, while wealthier neighborhoods are more affected by rain.

Ngo believes these insights can help public transit systems improve their services. For example, they might consider adding more covered bus stops or increasing the number of stops in vulnerable areas. The goal is to make public transit more appealing and reduce reliance on single-passenger vehicles to cut greenhouse gas emissions.