I was doing some research today, comparing the energy use (and greenhouse emissions) per passenger kilometre for various transport modes. I wanted to see whether a packed car was better than a train and whether brown coal-fired electric trains were really that bad for the environment. My research continues, but it looks as if others, in the government, have done much of it for me.
Victoria's Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability has just released a major position paper, entitled "Public Transport’s Role in Reducing Greenhouse Emissions". It is available on the Internet from http://www.ces.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/3C375AF544CFB3D4CA25748D0022100E/$File/public+transpor+-+role+in+reducing+greenhouse+emissions.pdf
or by following links on ces website.
I found Figure 8 on page 17 (Average Greenhouse Intensity of Transport Modes – DOT) very useful.
Dreams are not something to wait for
They are something to work for