Public Transportation: The Secret to Living Longer?

Give up the smog-producing, oil-consuming activity of driving a car and you'll not only be helping the environment, but also doing the right thing for your body. The latest research from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) reveals that residents of cities with public transportation options are healthier and live longer than those in cities without.

While it can be a nuisance at times, those of us who grumble during our morning commute on the subway, train or bus should take a step back and think about what public transportation offers aside from environmental, and often, financial benefits.

For one, it keeps us safer. The more public options in a community, the less traffic accidents and resulting deaths. Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute who conducted the research notes that traffic deaths in smart-growth areas were much less than sprawling, car-heavy communities. There are approximately four deaths by traffic accident per 100,000 people in the Bronx, while that number skyrockets to 40 per 100,000 in Miami, Kansas.

Those who forgo individual transport for the mass transit approach are also more fit and healthy. Riders tend to get more exercise by walking more and therefore have higher levels of overall daily activity.

"Public transportation enhances the overall quality of life of an individual and a community,” said APTA president William Millar in a press release.  "Use of public transit simply means that you walk more which increases fitness levels and leads to healthier citizens. More importantly, increasing use of public transit may be the most effective traffic safety counter measure a community can employ."

In addition, the report makes mention that through lower pollution levels and more exercise, public transportation can reduce five of the 10 factors for early death according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including cancer, heart disease and traffic fatalities.

"A growing portion of households want to rely more on alternative modes and live in more accessible, multi-modal communities,” said Litman. “Accommodating this demand would provide benefits to users and society, including significant health benefits."

By caravinagre via Flickr.