Which country ranks first for public transportation usage worldwide? According to Statista’s survey last year, South Korea claimed the top spot with the highest rate of public transportation usage for commuting to work or school. The survey revealed that 41% of respondents in South Korea rely on public transportation for their daily commute.
With the increasing popularity of the Climate Card, there’s a positive outlook for a rise in public transportation usage. Introduced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government last month, the Climate Card allows unlimited access to Seoul’s subway, buses, and public bicycles (Ddareungi) for a month at a cost of 65,000 won. Since its launch on Jan. 27, the card has sold over 460,000 units to this date, indicating its widespread popularity. As public transportation usage increases with the Climate Card, citizens benefit from reduced transportation costs, even by a penny, while the Seoul Metropolitan Government can simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it a win-win situation.
Following South Korea, Poland ranks second with a public transportation usage rate of 39%. In Warsaw, Poland, the downtown tram, buses, and subway efficiently connect various parts of the city. Austria (34%), Mexico (33%), and Spain (32%) follow Poland in the top five countries with high commuting public transportation usage rates. According to Statista’s analysis, countries with high public transportation usage tend to have lower rates of private car usage. In the United States, for instance, while 73% of respondents reported using private cars for commuting, only 13% utilized public transportation.
