The roadmap and strategy for prioritizing the development of public transport in China

With the acceleration of urbanization and continuous population growth in China, transportation issues in central cities, especially large and mega-cities, have become increasingly prominent. A series of problems such as economic efficiency decline and reduced residents' well-being caused by traffic congestion have become significant factors constraining the sustainable development of cities. As a core component of the urban transportation system, the prioritized development of urban public transportation is crucial for alleviating traffic congestion, improving environmental quality, and enhancing residents' quality of life. However, from the beginning of 2023, the share of public transportation in residents' travel has gradually decreased, with the total passenger volume still lower than the same period in 2019. In response to the challenges faced by the public transportation system under the new circumstances, this paper reviews the necessity of prioritized development of urban public transportation, analyzes the reasons for the decline in the share of public transportation in residents' overall travel modes, and proposes targeted suggestions. On this basis, the paper explores the intrinsic connection between the strategy of prioritizing public transportation development and sustainable urban development.