The differences between private and public transportation are considerable and include funding, accessibility, and availability. Public transportation is funded, at least in part, through tax pounds while private transportation is organised and funded through private enterprise.
For people wanting to travel around the UK or in Europe, choosing between private and public transportation usually involves the consideration of travel budgets, travel plans, and the safety options. In a number of cases, perhaps depending on the remoteness of a destination, travellers might find that using a combination of public transport and private options will help them on their way.
Public Services are Limited
In more than a few places, buses, trains, and even ferries are all part of the day in a public transportation system. While travellers and commuters may need to pay to use these options, passenger fares are greatly subsidised by taxation. Public transportation is organised for the benefit of the public good, and therefore its services are necessarily restricted by the amount of revenue it receives. Many people opt for coach hire in the UK, due to there being no such restrictions or limitations of usage.
Due to the restrictions on public transportation in many areas operating only during certain hours and days, there are some regions and places in which public transportation is just not available. (On Sundays, for example). Should travellers be trying to decide between using private and public transportation, they will have to contemplate whether public transportation operates in the region or neighbourhood where they wish to visit.
A Matter of Convenience
On the other hand, private transportation, is typically administrated by private, for-profit businesses. As these companies are generally not subsidized by the government, passengers must usually pay slightly higher prices to use their services. Some common forms of private transportation services are coaches and taxis, although there are also shared passenger transportation companies out there that operate minivan shuttle services in certain areas, especially to and from airports. From a traveller’s point of view, using a private transportation service is usually a matter of convenience, as it is possible to hire these services during hours and on days in which public transportation does not operate.
Private coaches and taxi cabs, in particular, can often access areas in which there are no bus routes or train lines. Another big feature between private and public transportation is that travellers on public transportation must share their space with large amounts of total strangers, whereas users of private transportation can choose to be alone or with their own party of family or friends in the vehicle. As public transportation typically revolves around picking up and dropping off passengers along a route, travellers should understand that public transportation will definitely require more travel time as opposed to private transportation.
If time and privacy is of the essence during a particular trip, private transportation may be a better option. Bon voyage!