The majority of us are thrilled of the opportunities self-driving vehicles may bring. We might have the ability to learn an instrument on the way to the office. On a trip we would be able to sleep on the way there and rise in our destination. Recently, Elon Musk introduced plans for a fleet of fully autonomous taxis referred to as robotaxis.

Since the early 1820s, public transportation has been available in a variety of forms. Public transportation has been the primary type of transportation for those who can’t afford their own transportation mode or for the ones who can’t drive because of a disability. It seems self-driving vehicles are set to change public transportation, yet will we be able to make this change be for the better?

Self-driving Cars, Public Transportation, and the Environment

There is controversy about how green public transportation actually is. Some claim that because of low ridership, buses can’t compete with new vehicles that have better fuel economy. Light-rail may seem like a great idea. Unfortunately, to resolve the “last mile” problem, the majority of neighborhoods up the quantity of bus routes that feed into a light-rail stop. That increase in bus routes doesn’t witness an increase in riders. The majority of users drive to the stop. Then, we witness more buses that have fewer riders. When we add in the price in energy to build a rail system, it’d be more efficient not to build the rail system, whatsoever.

Robotaxis could work a lot like Lyft or Uber, minus a driver, and decrease the overall number of cars owned. They’d be convenient and flexible for a rider – something public transportation always has struggled to be.

Self-driving vehicles would be more efficient and eco-friendlier than the public transportation system. The majority of the companies that are exploring this option, which includes Tesla, are using electric cars. Renewable electricity sources, such as solar, are being improved all of the time. It’d make electric robotaxis the most energy efficient transportation mode.