1.
public transportation; public transit
Transportation systems available to the general public, including trains, buses, subways, and ferries. Japan is renowned for its extensive and reliable public transportation network.
Because public transportation is well-developed, you can live without a car.
公共交通機関 is the formal term for public transportation systems — trains, buses, subways, ferries, and other transit available to the general public.
Forms
公共 (public) + 交通 (transportation) + 機関 (system/institution). In casual speech, 公共交通 alone is sometimes used.
Common collocations
- 公共交通機関を利用する: to use public transportation
- 公共交通機関が止まる: public transportation stops
- 公共交通機関の充実: improvement of public transportation
- 公共交通機関が乱れる: public transit is disrupted
Cultural note
Japan is known for its extensive, punctual public transportation network. Disruptions due to 台風 (typhoons) or 地震 (earthquakes) are major news events.