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Public Transit Goes Green; Agencies Nationwide Celebrate Earth Day
Editor's Note: This version of the story does not include graphics that appear in the print edition. To see these graphics, click here.
Public transportation agencies held special events on and around Earth Day, April 22, to showcase how their efforts save 40 million tons of emissions and 4.2 billion gallons of gas each year. Here are a few examples of the ways they brought the message of sustainability to their communities.
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) invited customers to ride Rapid heavy rail to Earth Fest, Ohio’s largest environmental education event and the nation’s longest-running Earth Day event. RTA was a sponsor of the April 17 event at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea, which showcased its new CNG buses as part of the Year of Clean Transportation theme.
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace Suburban Bus promoted Earth Day all week in the Chicago area by sharing information about the ecological benefits of public transit. RTA encouraged the public to participate on social media.
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District held its sixth annual Blue Sky Celebration on April 20, distributing information and giveaways from more than 50 exhibitors and featuring valet bicycle parking, a Segway obstacle course and games. Representatives of the San Mateo County Transit District and Caltrain commuter rail also participated.
Franklin (TN) Transit offered free rides on all fixed routes. Debbie Henry, executive director, said, “Earth Day is about people taking action for a cleaner, healthier environment. Franklin’s transit service is a safe, affordable, convenient and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation advancing the mission of sustainability for our city.”
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) shared a special Earth Day-themed picture and message on Facebook each day of the week to highlight ways people can use MCTS to help create a cleaner environment. Clean diesel buses, a majority of the fleet, emit reduced levels of particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen and non-methane hydrocarbons, and MCTS route supervisors operate a fleet of eight hybrid vehicles.
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, FL, launched a six-month pilot program to encourage recycling at one of its busiest facilities, reducing the amount of waste from HART that otherwise goes to landfills. The agency also provided recycling bins at employees’ desks and in its facilities.
Citilink in Fort Wayne, IN, recently unveiled its 19th hybrid-electric bus, vehicles that now comprise more than half its fixed route fleet; the agency uses ultra-low-sulfur biodiesel in its entire fleet. The agency also participated in the community’s Earth Day celebration.
Greater Bridgeport (CT) Transit held its annual event at the GBT Bus Station, giving away free T-shirts and reusable shopping bags.
Connect Transit, Normal, IL, invited the community to ride free all day on Earth Day on both regular fixed-route buses and paratransit vehicles.
Hampton Roads Transit, Hampton, VA, thanked its riders for their support by sending out staff volunteers to clean bus stops, train stations and transfer centers during a week-long “Earth Day, Every Day” event. All local and regional bus, light rail and ferry service operated free April 22.
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reported on its ongoing efforts to reduce the region’s carbon footprint through using cleaner fuels, more efficient engines and energy-saving methods across its operations. Also, MTA has begun using sustainable railroad ties and offering “Green Bonds” to pay for ongoing infrastructure renewal and upgrades.
The Portage Area Regional Transit Authority, Kent, OH, cited its installation of three charging stations for electric vehicles and ongoing construction of a CNG fueling station.
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