public transport

Meaning

Public transport refers to shared passenger transport services—such as buses, trains, subways, and trams—that are available for use by the general public. It is a key concept for travelers looking to navigate a city without renting a car or using taxis. The term is neutral and standard in British and international English.

Examples

• Using public transport is often much cheaper than renting a car.

  Using public transport is often much cheaper than renting a car.

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

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

• I always prefer to use public transport when traveling to avoid traffic.

  I always prefer to use public transport when traveling to avoid traffic.

• Is there any reliable public transport from the airport to the city center?

  Is there any reliable public transport from the airport to the city center?

• Navigating a foreign city's public transport system can be intimidating at first.

  Navigating a foreign city's public transport system can be intimidating at first.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I usually go to work by the public transport.

  ✓ I usually go to work by public transport.

  We do not use the definite article 'the' when speaking generally about using 'public transport' as a mode of travel.

• ✗ The public transportations in this city are very clean.

  ✓ The public transport in this city is very clean.

  'Public transport' (or 'public transportation' in US English) is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many European cities encourage people to use ___ to reduce pollution.

  💡 Buses, trains, and subways

  Show answer

  public transport

• Is the ___ in this town safe to use late at night?

  💡 Shared communal transit systems

  Show answer

  public transport