---
title: "Public versus private transportation"
subject: "Transportation Engineering I"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_6/transportation_engineering_i:public-private"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/transportation_engineering_i/public-private
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Public versus private transportation

Transportation Engineering I · Chapter 1: Introduction to Transportation Planning and engineering

- Asked in: 2078 Poush, 4 marks; 2075 Bhadra; 2068 Magh (old course) (asked 3 times)
- Video: [Unit:1 | Why should the Public Transportation be Prioritized rather than Private Transportation |](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj5BYnVTq_E) — Prashant YT
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/transportation_engineering_i/public-private
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/transportation_engineering_i/chapter-1

## Question

Differentiate between public and private transportation.

## Short answer

Public transport is a shared, fare-based service with fixed routes, high capacity, low cost per trip and low road space per person. Private transport is individually owned, offers free route choice and door-to-door convenience, but has high cost and large road space, increasing congestion and pollution per passenger.

## Answer

**Public transport** is a shared service open to everyone on payment of a fare (buses, trams, trains, micro-buses, metro). **Private transport** is owned and operated by individuals for their own use (cars, motorcycles, bicycles, own vehicles).

| Basis | Public transport | Private transport |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Government or operators, shared | Individual or family |
| Route and schedule | Fixed routes and time-table | Free choice of route and time |
| Cost to user | Low fare per trip | High purchase, fuel and parking cost |
| Road space per person | Very small | Large |
| Capacity | High (40-100 persons per bus) | Low (1-5 persons) |
| Comfort and privacy | Less; crowded at peak | More; personal comfort |
| Door-to-door service | No; walking to stop | Yes |
| Congestion | Reduces congestion | Increases congestion |
| Pollution and energy | Low per passenger | High per passenger |
| Accidents | Lower per passenger-km | Higher |
| Affordability | Available to all incl. poor | Only for those who can buy |
| Parking need | Little | Large |

Public transport is more efficient in cities; private transport gives convenience. A good policy balances both and gives priority to public transport.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What defines public transport?
   A. Vehicles owned by an individual for own use
   B. A shared service open to everyone on payment of a fare
   C. Bicycles and motorcycles
   D. Free service for government staff
   Answer: B. Public transport is a shared fare-paying service such as buses, trams and trains. (Key point: Definition of public transport)

2. Compared with private transport, public transport has what effect on road space per person and congestion?
   A. Larger road space, more congestion
   B. Same road space, no effect
   C. Very small road space per person and reduced congestion
   D. Larger road space, less congestion
   Answer: C. Public transport carries 40-100 persons per bus, using little road space per person, so it reduces congestion. (Key point: Road space and congestion)

3. Which feature favours private transport?
   A. Lower pollution per passenger
   B. Door-to-door service with free choice of route and time
   C. Lower parking need
   D. Lower purchase cost
   Answer: B. Private vehicles give door-to-door convenience and free route/time choice, but cost more and need more space. (Key point: Flexibility trade-off)

## Related in Transportation Engineering I

- [Preference to public transportation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Apublic-transport-preference) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 1
- [Railway versus air transportation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Arailway-vs-air) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 1
- [Railway versus road transportation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Arailway-vs-road) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 1

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