In many of Israel’s urban centers, air pollution levels represent a public health hazard. Conservative estimates indicate that over 1000 people die each year in Israel because of exposure to high levels of air pollution. The main contributor to urban air pollution is vehicular traffic. The number of vehicles on Israeli roads is constantly growing, and among them, the private car predominates. Moreover, private vehicles consume more space in the growing demand for road space. Consumption of space is not limited only to the road and its shoulders – it also includes land area for interchanges, shopping centers and gas stations.
This paper reviews the environmental effects of public transportation (excluding rail) and the responsibilities that the bus companies must assume – both at environmental and social levels – is presented. As such, some solutions and mechanisms that already exist are presented and the bus companies should adopt them as part of their environmental obligation.
