public transit

Meaning

This refers to public transportation systems, such as buses, subways, trains, and light rails, that run on established routes and are used by the general public. It is a common term in North American English, while British English speakers often use 'public transport.'

Examples

• Taking public transit is much cheaper than paying for parking downtown.

  Taking public transit is much cheaper than paying for parking downtown.

• The city has an excellent public transit network that is very easy to navigate.

  The city has an excellent public transit network that is very easy to navigate.

• Is there any public transit that goes directly from the airport to the hotel?

  Is there any public transit that goes directly from the airport to the hotel?

• During rush hour, public transit is often faster than driving a car.

  During rush hour, public transit is often faster than driving a car.

• The local government is investing more money into improving public transit.

  The local government is investing more money into improving public transit.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I always use the public transportations to go to work.

  ✓ I always use public transit to go to work.

  'Public transit' (or 'public transportation') is uncountable, so you should not make it plural or use 'the' before it in general contexts.

• ✗ Is there a public transit near here?

  ✓ Is there public transit near here?

  'Public transit' is an uncountable noun. If you want to use the indefinite article 'a,' you must pair it with a countable noun like 'station' or 'stop' (e.g., 'a public transit station').

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many European cities discourage driving by offering free ___ on high-pollution days.

  💡 Buses, trains, and subways funded by the city.

  Show answer

  public transit

• We decided not to rent a car because the city's ___ is so reliable.

  💡 The system of shared passenger transport services.

  Show answer

  public transit