In a time where environmental impact is a major topic and people are looking to make positive changes in their life, transport is an important area to focus on. People know that flying and driving petrol/diesel is bad for the environment, but what about train travel? Train travel is an environmentally-friendly form of transport in comparison, but there are a few important factors to be aware of.
How Do Trains Work?
So, how do trains work? In the UK, trains are powered by a mixture of electricity and diesel fuel. Nearly half of the UK rail network is electrified, but there is still a requirement for diesel in some areas. The government has plans to phase out diesel-only trains by 2040.
Other Options
This makes rail travel a form of transportation that is low-impact compared to flying and driving. Of course, walking or cycling will be best, but this is not always an option. While the automotive industry is slowly becoming electrified, the aviation industry is limited to carbon-intensive aviation fuel and there has been a lot of flight shaming that has been happening in recent times due to the climate crisis.
Train Vs Bus
If you cannot walk or cycle, it is generally recommended that you should take the train to reduce your environmental impact. This is true more often than not, but it is also important to consider getting the bus as sometimes this will work out to be better for the environment. There are many factors that will determine this, including the length of the journey, the number of passengers and whether the coaches or trains run on electricity or diesel.
The Importance of Travel
Travel is an important part of life and it is important that people are able to visit new places, but it is also important to be considerate and to find ways to reduce your impact. Generally, the train will be the best option and people should always look to get the train instead of fly if possible. Flying is regarded as the worst form of transport, especially in a time when there are more electric cars on the roads and the infrastructure is improving.
Train is one of the best ways to travel as it has a much smaller impact on the environment. In addition to this, travelling by train can be more relaxing, fun and comfortable. These days, you can get to just about anywhere by train so it should always be considered when planning any kind of journey.
