Improving Public Transport Emerges as Most Popular Green Transport Policy, OECD Finds
Paris, August 23, 2026: Improving public transportation has emerged as the most widely supported policy for reducing the environmental impact of road travel, according to findings highlighted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The OECD’s How Green is Household Behaviour? report, based on its 2022 Survey on Environmental Policies and Individual Behaviour Change, examined the views and habits of more than 17,000 households across nine countries. The research found particularly strong public backing for policies that make sustainable alternatives to private cars more accessible and convenient.
Public transport receives strongest support
According to the OECD data, 77% of respondents supported or strongly supported improvements to public transport, making it the most popular measure among the transport policies examined.
The organization found that support remained high across different income groups, residential locations and levels of environmental concern. Even among respondents who reported having no trust in their national government, three-quarters supported measures aimed at improving public transportation.
The OECD said improvements could include more frequent services, wider network coverage and more affordable fares.
Better services could reduce car dependence
The findings point to a significant opportunity for governments attempting to reduce dependence on conventional cars.
Across the countries surveyed, 75% of households said at least one member regularly uses a conventional car. At the same time, 54% of regular car users said better public transport could encourage them to drive less.
The research suggests that simply asking people to change their travel habits may not be enough. Providing practical alternatives that are convenient, affordable and readily available could play a much larger role in shifting people away from private vehicles.
Support for teleworking and cleaner vehicles
Improving public transportation was not the only policy receiving substantial support.
The OECD reported that 60% of respondents supported promoting teleworking, while a similar proportion backed subsidies for low-emission or fuel-efficient cars. Around 56% supported stricter fuel-efficiency standards for new vehicles, and 51% favored providing consumers with more detailed environmental information about cars.
These findings indicate that people are generally more receptive to policies that provide alternatives or incentives than measures that directly increase the cost of driving.
Taxes and fees prove more controversial
The survey showed considerably weaker support for policies that impose additional financial costs on motorists.
A majority of respondents opposed measures such as charging drivers according to the distance they travel or increasing parking fees. The OECD reported that 57% disagreed with a fee per kilometre driven, while 61% opposed increased parking fees or reductions in parking spaces.
Support was also lower for measures such as carbon taxes, city-centre access charges and other policies designed primarily to discourage car use.
The OECD said this difference in public opinion suggests that governments could improve acceptance of tougher measures by simultaneously investing in attractive alternatives, particularly public transportation and walking and cycling infrastructure.
Transport remains a major environmental challenge
The OECD has identified transport as a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and highlighted the environmental and social costs associated with private vehicle use, including air pollution, congestion and noise.
The organization argues that sustainable transport policies need to address both infrastructure and household behaviour. Improving public transportation, expanding active-mobility options and supporting cleaner vehicles can work together to reduce emissions.
The research also highlights differences between urban and rural areas. Public transportation can be a practical alternative to private cars in many cities, while rural communities may require different solutions because of lower population density and limited transit networks.
Convenience could determine future transport choices
The OECD’s findings suggest that environmental awareness alone does not necessarily lead people to abandon private cars. Convenience, affordability and the availability of alternatives remain critical factors in household decisions.
For policymakers, the message is clear: making greener choices easier may generate greater public support than relying primarily on penalties for high-emission behaviour.
As governments seek to cut transport emissions, the OECD findings indicate that investment in reliable, affordable and accessible public transportation could be one of the most publicly acceptable ways to encourage a shift toward more sustainable mobility.
