Some people believe that governments should invest more in public transport, while others think funding should focus on roads. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

On the one hand, certain measures are taken by some governments to make public transport a more reasonable choice of transit. For instance, the frequency of buses and subway trains is increased, climate control is improved, and new bus routes are arranged. These methods aim to make public transportation more attractive to commuters. Considering that the majority prefer a car to public modes of transport due to the former’s greater mobility, comfort and availability at any time, providing comparable benefits in the public transportation systems can encourage more to turn to public transport.

On the other hand, other countries are trying to establish wider roads with more lanes in each road network. Thanks to the ever-rising number of private cars, it has become necessary to build roads that can accommodate more cars simultaneously. To clarify, as the world population increases, car ownership also becomes more common. Amplifying the density of cars on the roads is the current universal work schedule: as people commute to and from work almost at the same time, extended roads should be laid, so that traffic congestion can be reduced.

However, from my perspective, both initiatives can be implemented, while the current city layout should be considered. To illustrate, in cities such as Baku, building larger roads would be too expensive, as many buildings would have to be demolished and inhabitants relocated. This is because in such cities, making such a fundamental structural change would take both years and considerable finances. Therefore, the most pragmatic solution would be to ensure more comfortable and accessible buses to incentivise public transport use. By contrast, in less populated, less developed cities, it is recommended to focus on wider road networks. Since most individuals in such developing urban areas go to major cities for work, they cover larger distances, for which cars are more suitable.

To conclude, despite people’s varying perspectives on how to handle traffic, I am convinced that cities, which have a long-established structure, should place emphasis on better public transport, while developing cities can choose to extend their roads.