A couple of weeks ago, I road-tripped to Washington, D.C. with two of my best friends. One had landed a full-time job in the downtown area, so I gladly volunteered to help pack, transport, and unpack all of his things. After loading up the large Penske van he rented and securing his cat in place, we hit the road intending to drive through the night.

I am a big fan of driving, so cruising for 19 hours straight seemed like such a fun time to me (and it was). However, after pushing 70 mph down the Pennsylvania Turnpike while operating an oversized van full of my friend’s belongings, to say I was sick of sitting behind the wheel would be an understatement.

But despite little to no sleep, an overabundance of caffeine, and One Direction’s first studio album on repeat, we arrived at our destination unharmed and in good spirits.

After unpacking and situating our things in his small, one-bedroom apartment, we happily bid farewell to the Penske van. But upon returning the vehicle to a local hardware store, we were suddenly left without any mode of transportation — at least to my midwestern understanding.

Besides walking or riding a bicycle, the only other everyday form of transportation I was familiar with was a personal vehicle. Sure, passenger airplanes could fit into this category. But depending on where you are traveling, they are often a luxury that requires a good amount of money and a general understanding of the airport system to use successfully.

My life revolves around my use of a vehicle: I use to it get to and from work, from Marquette to Gladstone, and to go grocery shopping. Even when I need to clear my head, my Subaru Forester is the first thing I turn to because it is dependable, I own it, and it has heated seats.

So while I sat nervously at the hardware store, mentally calculating how long it would take us to walk the several miles back to the apartment, my friends were finding the closest Metro station.

For those who don’t know, the Metro is a form of rapid transportation via heavy rail that can carry masses of people. They typically run underground and charge a small fee depending on your pick-up and drop-off location. In D.C. and the surrounding areas, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority handles the scheduling and maintenance of these trains.

Considering the car-dominated landscape we live in, it may be hard to imagine why anyone would prefer to take the train over driving themselves. For those of us who have the privilege of owning a car, we do not have to worry about bus schedules, clean seating, or unexpected train maintenance when getting ready to leave the house.

And I understand this sentiment, for I too felt the same way. However, several pros to public transportation greatly outweigh the cons, and they will hopefully make you wonder why we have decided to stigmatize the use of mass transit in our society.

To start, public transportation is astronomically safer than private. According to an American Public Transportation Association (APTA) study, riding any form of public transportation reduces the risk of accidents by over 90% when compared to operating a personal vehicle. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation has reported an increase in traffic-related deaths on highways and interstates in the recent past, which is due in part to congested and deteriorating roadways.

Not only is public transportation incredibly safe, but it is also much better for the environment. The widespread use of personal vehicles in urban areas, coupled with our continued burning of fossil fuels, has caused air pollution levels to skyrocket. Air pollution in the form of greenhouse gasses is the main cause of global warming, which has led to drastic changes in climate across the country.

Public transportation is a much more sustainable option. If more people used any form of mass transportation, the number of pollutants being shot into the atmosphere would decrease. UCLA Transportation found that opting to take the bus instead of driving a personal vehicle could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45% — with every vehicle currently on the road releasing one pound of CO2 per mile driven.

The only major con that comes to mind with public transportation is accessibility.

Travel is a guaranteed right by the 14th Amendment, which reads “everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.” However, our car-oriented society has made walking/biking unachievable in most places — especially in areas where interstate highway systems cut through underdeveloped urban areas.

Because of this, public transportation should not be treated as a consumer product. Instead, buses, trains, and trolleys were created solely for public benefit and use. Refer back to my article regarding equality, equity, and justice: While the pay-per-ride fee is minimal, it is still not feasible for some people. Considering everyone is entitled to the right to travel, transportation that was funded by and for the people should be accessible to all.

To conclude, I love the Metro and the efficiency of public transportation. These public utilities, which are offered to us every day, remove the potential stress of inner-city traffic, unreliable navigation systems, and gas prices. No one should be ashamed of using any form of public transportation, whether it be high-speed rail, trolley, or bus.

Public transportation was built by us and operates for us, so why not take advantage of it if and when you can?

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Andie Balenger is a native of Gladstone and is currently attending Northern Michigan University. Her column focuses on college life and runs Thursdays in the Daily Press.