SOVs represent the most inefficient use of transportation energy. For example, in Vancouver, 98.4 percent of rush hour traffic consisted of passenger cars that carried only 62.6 percent of commuters. Although there is no single mode of transportation that outdistances the automobile in popularity, several viable options do exist. A full bus removes 40 vehicles from the road. This saves 70,000 litres of fuel and avoids nine tonnes of air pollutants a year.
Public transit is most efficient during peak commuting periods, when buses are full.
Several transit companies are working on increasing ridership by promoting the environmental and economical benefits of mass transportation. The TTC also encourages commuters to bike and ride by installing bicycle racks at all TTC stations. In Vancouver, BC Transit relocated its main office directly on the Sky Train line, to encourage employee use of public transit and make commuting easier, faster and less polluting. Endeavouring to make its transit system as clean-running as possible, the majority of passengers travel on electrically powered vehicles. HSR currently has 58 vehicles fuelled by natural gas.