mass transit

noun

chiefly US

: the transportation of large numbers of people by means of buses, subway trains, etc., especially within urban areas

also : the system, vehicles, or facilities engaged in such transportation

I rode mass transit—first the bus, then Metro—for nearly two decades.

—Fred Barnes

Examples of mass transit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In order to convince people to replace solo driving with mass transit, LA Metro is offering cash incentives for people to park at least one of their cars at home and try walking, bike share, carpooling or taking a train or bus. — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

The mass transit sales tax helps fund public transportation in Cook and the collar counties. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

In Miami-Dade, the transit system faces financial woes Aside from diminishing Miami-Dade’s transit ambitions, the Levine Cava plan also highlights the dire financial picture facing mass transit in the county. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Burke and other backers were pretty open about why PRT was better than regular mass transit. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mass transit

• paratransit