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CDTA
going "green"
Stacy Bandhold, The Record
04/15/2008
ALBANY — Bus riders will not only be given the chance to ride
public transportation at no cost on April 22, Earth Day, but also
the opportunity to help the environment, as part of the Capital
District Transportation Authority’s “iRide Green” initiative.
With the help of the Downtown Business Improvement Districts in
Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties, CDTA will
distribute 5,000 environmentally friendly bus passes made of
recycled paper and infused with wildflower seeds at 24 businesses
throughout the Capital District in the next few weeks in preparation
for Earth Day.
The passes can be used in place of bus fare on April 22 and can
later be planted to grow a mix of wildflowers or be donated to the
Capital District Community Gardens to assist in educational programs
at area schools.
“People are more aware today of what transit means to people and
communities, every little bit helps,” said Ray Melleady, CDTA
executive director. “It’s important to note that “Going Green —
saves green.”
Melleady said there has been an increase in those riding public
transportation due to rising fuel costs and environmental concerns,
but CDTA is still having a tough time making ends meet.
“We will still have to take some cost cutting measures,” said
Melleady. “We need more transit service. Now is the time to add more
transit options, not take away.”
Melleady stressed that it only takes one person to impact the
environment in a positive way.
“If each individual relied on public transportation instead of a
one-occupancy vehicle, they would save 10 pounds of carbon monoxide
each day or even 2,200 pounds per year,” said Melleady. “More
importantly, they would save $6.50 per day based on a 12-mile round
trip commute.”
The average car emits 28 pounds of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere for each gallon of gasoline burned, almost the same
amount as a typical transit bus. The air pollution emitted per
person is far greater for the person driving a car, compared to a
person riding the bus, said Deb Stacy, coordinator for the Capital
District Clean Cities Coalition.
“U.S. citizens spend $200,000 per minute on foreign oil,” said
Stacy. “Cars and trucks use 40 percent of U.S. oil and emit 20
percent of CO2 pollution.”
Capital
District Community Gardens will also be participating in the CDTA’s
“Go Green” initiative by using its earth friendly Veggie Mobile to
distribute the wildflower bus passes and encouraging residents to
plant the seeds to improve neighborhoods.
“We have spent 30 years planting seeds, seeing how growing things
really changes lives,” said Amy Klein, Community Gardens executive
director.
“It’s really an example of how innovative thinking is best served
when it also serves the public’s imagination.”
Elizabeth Young, executive director of the Troy Downtown
Collaborative, will be distributing the passes at three downtown
locations including Market Block Books, the Art Center and the
Counties of Ireland.
“Troy is just such a walk-able city that we have seen an influx of
environmental conscious citizens, because they really don’t want to
use their cars,” said Young. “It’s just more socially responsible to
take the bus, I’m hoping more people take advantage of this
opportunity here in this city.”
Other green initiatives by CDTA include new hybrid diesel/electric
buses, installing solar shelters, installing bicycle racks on all of
its 250 plus regular route buses and most recently the development
of a partnership with American Wind and Hydrogen, NYSERDA and Albany
International on a hydrogen vehicle project.
ŠThe Record 2008
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