Every time a bus is filled to capacity, it has the potential to clear numerous cars from the road. This reduction in traffic directly cuts down on emissions, leading to better air quality. Notably, it helps remove tire particulate matter from the air we breathe.

For those traveling through Silicon Valley, heavy traffic often feels like an unavoidable part of everyday life. Long queues of vehicles on Highway 101 during peak times, buses idling at jam-packed stops, and students standing at congested intersections seem to be an inevitable cost of residing in this area. However, this acceptance conceals a significant issue. Our roads have become a public health hazard hiding in plain sight.

San Jose Spotlight, a nonprofit news organization focused on political and business news in San Jose, Santa Clara County, and the South Bay, aims to shed light on these challenges. Journalists Sergio Lopez and Charlotte (Jingqi) Liang highlight the pressing nature of traffic woes and their impact on the community’s health and environment.