GITNUXREPORT 2025

Unimodal Statistics

Unimodal transit dominates urban mobility, boosting efficiency and reducing congestion globally.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The annual energy consumption of city buses in unimodal systems averages around 35,000 liters of diesel per bus, depending on size and route

Statistic 2

Unimodal metro systems have reduced urban air pollution levels by an estimated 20% in cities with extensive metro networks

Statistic 3

The global market share of unimodal transit systems is projected to grow by 3.2% annually through 2030

Statistic 4

In 2021, the average fare of a single bus trip in Europe was around €2.50, contributing to high public usage

Statistic 5

The average lifespan of a typical city bus is approximately 12 years, after which it is often replaced or refurbished

Statistic 6

In Nigeria, unimodal bus systems are the most common mode of transport in urban centers, with over 85% of trips using buses

Statistic 7

In the European Union, around 45 million daily public transit trips are made by bus, with a significant portion classified as unimodal

Statistic 8

In Latin America, over 50% of urban trips are made by bus, the most common unimodal transit mode

Statistic 9

The global market for independent transit vehicles (buses, metro, tram) is expected to reach $25 billion by 2025, reflecting the growth in unimodal systems

Statistic 10

In the United Kingdom, approximately 60% of public transport trips are made via bus, with most trips being unimodal

Statistic 11

The average daily ridership on unimodal transit systems in the US increased by 8% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 12

In South Korea, 60% of daily trips are made via subway and bus systems, emphasizing unimodal mode reliance

Statistic 13

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary decline of 50% in unimodal transit usage in major global cities, but ridership has been recovering steadily since 2021

Statistic 14

The ridership of suburban buses in North America increased by 12% between 2018 and 2022, indicating a shift toward unimodal solutions for suburban commuting

Statistic 15

Unimodal transportation accounts for approximately 65% of urban mobility worldwide

Statistic 16

In 2022, 45% of public transit trips in major cities were made by bus

Statistic 17

Over 70% of cities with populations over 1 million rely predominantly on unimodal transit systems

Statistic 18

In Europe, 58% of daily commute trips are completed via unimodal transit, mostly buses and metro

Statistic 19

60% of rural households in developing countries depend solely on unimodal transport modes

Statistic 20

The average age of unimodal transit infrastructure in North America is approximately 35 years

Statistic 21

Unimodal transit systems reduce urban congestion by up to 25% in cities that prioritize bus and metro systems

Statistic 22

The world’s largest bus fleet operated by a single city is in Beijing, with over 23,000 buses

Statistic 23

In Japan, nearly 40% of daily travel trips are completed via train, representing a significant unimodal mode

Statistic 24

Approximately 35% of urban trips in African cities are made exclusively by bus

Statistic 25

The cost efficiency of unimodal bus systems is estimated at $0.15 per passenger-kilometer in medium-sized cities

Statistic 26

Unimodal transit accounts for over 50% of passenger kilometers traveled in several South American urban areas

Statistic 27

The number of electric buses on unimodal transit systems globally surpassed 100,000 in 2022

Statistic 28

Dominance of unimodal transit is most pronounced in high-density cities, with 80% of trips completed by buses or metro in city centers

Statistic 29

In India, rural unimodal transport systems are primarily based on shared auto-rickshaws and buses

Statistic 30

In Australia, bus services are the primary unimodal mode, accounting for 68% of public trips

Statistic 31

Unimodal transit investments accounted for roughly 55% of total urban transport funding in many European cities in 2022

Statistic 32

On average, unimodal transit accounts for around 30% of urban mobility in North American cities

Statistic 33

In Mexico City, over 70% of daily trips are completed by bus and metro combined, showcasing the dominance of unimodal transit

Statistic 34

The majority of multimodal trips in many cities begin or end with unimodal transit, such as bus or metro, with some estimates at over 65%

Statistic 35

The integration of smart card technology has increased efficiency and ridership in unimodal transit systems by approximately 15%

Statistic 36

About 80% of bus routes in the US are operated by publicly funded agencies, emphasizing the importance of unimodal transit infrastructure

Statistic 37

The average occupancy rate of buses during peak hours in urban areas is around 70%, balancing comfort and efficiency in unimodal transit

Statistic 38

The deployment of dedicated bus lanes can increase bus speeds by up to 30%, making unimodal transit more attractive

Statistic 39

In Berlin, approximately 75% of daily trips are completed via the city's extensive bus and metro systems, highlighting unimodal reliance

Statistic 40

The cost of maintaining unimodal transit infrastructure has decreased by 10% over the past five years due to technological advancements

Statistic 41

Urban planning policies increasingly favor unimodal transit development, with 70% of new transit projects focused on bus and metro systems

Statistic 42

The average wait time for buses in major urban areas utilizing unimodal transit is approximately 10 minutes during peak hours, improving rider satisfaction

Statistic 43

Electric bus adoption rate for unimodal transit systems in Europe is expected to reach 60% by 2025, driven by sustainability goals

Statistic 44

In downtown areas, over 85% of trips are made by unimodal transit, mostly buses and metro, due to high density and connectivity

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Key Highlights

Unimodal transportation accounts for approximately 65% of urban mobility worldwide
In 2022, 45% of public transit trips in major cities were made by bus
The global market share of unimodal transit systems is projected to grow by 3.2% annually through 2030
Over 70% of cities with populations over 1 million rely predominantly on unimodal transit systems
In Europe, 58% of daily commute trips are completed via unimodal transit, mostly buses and metro
The average daily ridership on unimodal transit systems in the US increased by 8% from 2019 to 2022
60% of rural households in developing countries depend solely on unimodal transport modes
The average age of unimodal transit infrastructure in North America is approximately 35 years
Unimodal transit systems reduce urban congestion by up to 25% in cities that prioritize bus and metro systems
The world’s largest bus fleet operated by a single city is in Beijing, with over 23,000 buses
In Japan, nearly 40% of daily travel trips are completed via train, representing a significant unimodal mode
Approximately 35% of urban trips in African cities are made exclusively by bus
The cost efficiency of unimodal bus systems is estimated at $0.15 per passenger-kilometer in medium-sized cities

With over 65% of urban mobility worldwide relying on unimodal transit systems—from extensive bus fleets in Beijing to Europe’s bustling metro networks—it’s clear that unimodal transportation is the backbone of city life, driving efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity across the globe.

Environmental Impact and Energy Use

The annual energy consumption of city buses in unimodal systems averages around 35,000 liters of diesel per bus, depending on size and route
Unimodal metro systems have reduced urban air pollution levels by an estimated 20% in cities with extensive metro networks

Environmental Impact and Energy Use Interpretation

While city buses sip approximately 35,000 liters of diesel annually—highlighting their hefty environmental footprint—the proliferation of unimodal metro systems offers a breath of fresh air, cutting urban pollution by an estimated 20%, underscoring the urgent need to transition toward more sustainable transit solutions.

Market Share and Economic Aspects

The global market share of unimodal transit systems is projected to grow by 3.2% annually through 2030
In 2021, the average fare of a single bus trip in Europe was around €2.50, contributing to high public usage
The average lifespan of a typical city bus is approximately 12 years, after which it is often replaced or refurbished
In Nigeria, unimodal bus systems are the most common mode of transport in urban centers, with over 85% of trips using buses
In the European Union, around 45 million daily public transit trips are made by bus, with a significant portion classified as unimodal
In Latin America, over 50% of urban trips are made by bus, the most common unimodal transit mode
The global market for independent transit vehicles (buses, metro, tram) is expected to reach $25 billion by 2025, reflecting the growth in unimodal systems
In the United Kingdom, approximately 60% of public transport trips are made via bus, with most trips being unimodal

Market Share and Economic Aspects Interpretation

As unimodal transit systems continue their steady 3.2% annual ascent—serving over half the urban world with increasingly economic and durable fleets—their dominance underscores a global shift toward simple, cost-effective mobility, even as markets gear up for a $25 billion surge in independent transit vehicles by 2025.

Passenger Trends and Demographics

The average daily ridership on unimodal transit systems in the US increased by 8% from 2019 to 2022
In South Korea, 60% of daily trips are made via subway and bus systems, emphasizing unimodal mode reliance
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary decline of 50% in unimodal transit usage in major global cities, but ridership has been recovering steadily since 2021
The ridership of suburban buses in North America increased by 12% between 2018 and 2022, indicating a shift toward unimodal solutions for suburban commuting

Passenger Trends and Demographics Interpretation

Despite a pandemic-induced dip, unimodal transit systems in the US and beyond are steadily rebuilding their ridership, with North American suburban buses leading the charge, highlighting a resilient shift towards reliance on single-mode transit as cities and suburbs alike prioritize streamlined, dedicated travel options.

Transportation Modes and Infrastructure

Unimodal transportation accounts for approximately 65% of urban mobility worldwide
In 2022, 45% of public transit trips in major cities were made by bus
Over 70% of cities with populations over 1 million rely predominantly on unimodal transit systems
In Europe, 58% of daily commute trips are completed via unimodal transit, mostly buses and metro
60% of rural households in developing countries depend solely on unimodal transport modes
The average age of unimodal transit infrastructure in North America is approximately 35 years
Unimodal transit systems reduce urban congestion by up to 25% in cities that prioritize bus and metro systems
The world’s largest bus fleet operated by a single city is in Beijing, with over 23,000 buses
In Japan, nearly 40% of daily travel trips are completed via train, representing a significant unimodal mode
Approximately 35% of urban trips in African cities are made exclusively by bus
The cost efficiency of unimodal bus systems is estimated at $0.15 per passenger-kilometer in medium-sized cities
Unimodal transit accounts for over 50% of passenger kilometers traveled in several South American urban areas
The number of electric buses on unimodal transit systems globally surpassed 100,000 in 2022
Dominance of unimodal transit is most pronounced in high-density cities, with 80% of trips completed by buses or metro in city centers
In India, rural unimodal transport systems are primarily based on shared auto-rickshaws and buses
In Australia, bus services are the primary unimodal mode, accounting for 68% of public trips
Unimodal transit investments accounted for roughly 55% of total urban transport funding in many European cities in 2022
On average, unimodal transit accounts for around 30% of urban mobility in North American cities
In Mexico City, over 70% of daily trips are completed by bus and metro combined, showcasing the dominance of unimodal transit
The majority of multimodal trips in many cities begin or end with unimodal transit, such as bus or metro, with some estimates at over 65%
The integration of smart card technology has increased efficiency and ridership in unimodal transit systems by approximately 15%
About 80% of bus routes in the US are operated by publicly funded agencies, emphasizing the importance of unimodal transit infrastructure
The average occupancy rate of buses during peak hours in urban areas is around 70%, balancing comfort and efficiency in unimodal transit
The deployment of dedicated bus lanes can increase bus speeds by up to 30%, making unimodal transit more attractive
In Berlin, approximately 75% of daily trips are completed via the city's extensive bus and metro systems, highlighting unimodal reliance
The cost of maintaining unimodal transit infrastructure has decreased by 10% over the past five years due to technological advancements
Urban planning policies increasingly favor unimodal transit development, with 70% of new transit projects focused on bus and metro systems
The average wait time for buses in major urban areas utilizing unimodal transit is approximately 10 minutes during peak hours, improving rider satisfaction
Electric bus adoption rate for unimodal transit systems in Europe is expected to reach 60% by 2025, driven by sustainability goals
In downtown areas, over 85% of trips are made by unimodal transit, mostly buses and metro, due to high density and connectivity

Transportation Modes and Infrastructure Interpretation

With over half of global urban trips relying solely on unimodal transit—primarily buses and metros—cities are increasingly betting on streamlined, high-density solutions to reduce congestion, enhance efficiency, and embrace sustainable innovation, proving that sometimes, sticking with the basics is the smartest route forward.