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KPBS Midday Edition

Why don't more San Diegans use public transit to commute?

A view of Interstate 15 with moderate traffic in San Diego on Nov. 19, 2021.

A pair of recent climate reports have outlined just how drastically our approach to transportation needs to be rethought, both internationally and here in San Diego.

Greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles represent about one-third of total carbon emissions in the United States.

Pre-pandemic data from the University of San Diego further underscores the state of transportation in the region — indicating that the percentage of commuters who drive alone to work has remained consistently high over the last decade, at around 75%. Compare that with the 3% of San Diegans who use public transit.

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RELATED: How to turn your climate anxiety into climate activism

Why don’t more people use public transit? And what would it take to get San Diegans out of their cars?

Nicole Capretz, founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization Climate Action Campaign, and Colin Parent, executive director of Circulate San Diego, as well as a member of the La Mesa city council, joined Midday Edition on Thursday with more on potential solutions for a greener approach to transportation in the region.