While taking the car to work, the supermarket or even the gym has become an age-old habit that's difficult to break, the benefits of travel on public transport are quickly outweighing that of having a car. Whether it's saving money on petrol, getting in some valuable exercise with a short walk to the train station or helping reduce your carbon footprint, the following ideas are just a few ways in which public transport is good for you.

Beginning with the environment, global warming is – for want of a better phrase – one of today's hot topics. Car use for just one person is now seen as environmentally

unfriendly given the same amount of fumes emitted by a bus is at least shared by twenty or more people. Bus and train companies are constantly doing their bit to help the environment and make travel greener which means you're not only being eco-conscious using public transport but also supporting green forms of travel.

The physical benefits of using public transport should not be underestimated either. While leaving your house and hopping into a car parked in the drive way is little exercise at all, a short walk to a bus stop ten minutes way will help you reach the recommended exercise quota of one hour a day. For the more exercise conscious among us, getting off the bus one stop early also encourages extra exercise while walking to work is always an option for people who work locally.

The benefits of public transport don't just stop at the environmental or the physical however, as the average commuter can put a noticeable dent in their monthly petrol spend by opting for bus or train travel. Just like the plethora of price comparison sures that help you compare life insurance or health insurance, there are now a wealth of sites that help you calculate how much you could stand to save by using public transport instead of the family car. Journey planner sites are also available for those trying to work out the easiest and most economical way of getting around town.

The benefits of public transport should not be underestimated. Other benefits of public transport include reduced stress when handing driving responsibilities to somebody else, a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery during your journey as well as catching up with a book or a newspaper during the trip. Why not give it a go tomorrow – ditch the car and take the public transport to start on a journey to a fitter, wealthier and more eco-friendly you.