Social and Ecological Benefits of Public Transportation System on Mo'orea v1

Mo’orea is arguably a car-centric island, with one main road wrapping 60 km all the way around the island, with many roads branching off into the island. In January 2024, a private transportation bus system widely used by the local community was discontinued due to “lack of profitability”, leaving both the students and those who commute to Tahiti to work without transportation to schools and the ferry station. This research project aims to study how the implementation of a public transportation system would impact the local community and ecosystems of Mo’orea. Qualitative data, including general local views on public transit and accessibility of island, will be collected through interviews and online surveys. Quantitative data on human and environmental health in relation to public transit will also be gathered, including predicted change in automotive gas emissions, traffic and commute times, drunk driving accidents per year, and percent of population with a driver's license.