By bus and urban transit

While the love affair with the personal automobile continues, many nations are struggling to reduce the smog and traffic congestion that frequent and widespread car travel creates. In efforts to relieve traffic on Canada's roads, the government has advocated the use of road tolls, telecommuting to work, car pool-only lanes, and bicycle riding.

Most major Canadian cities have developed urban transit systems in the hope of convincing commuters to climb aboard buses, trains, subways and streetcars. The 1.5 billion passenger trips on urban transit in 2001 means these urban transit systems are essential to the efficient movement of people in Canada’s large cities. Some urban dwellers are even foregoing auto ownership entirely: more than half of those living in Toronto's downtown core do not own a car. Urban transit companies are also frequently involved in providing transportation services to people with disabilities and seniors through para-transit services.