Take Public Transportation to Save Money and Be Environmentally Conscious
The Chicago Transit Authority is joining with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the fourth annual national Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 18. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation to save money, protect the environment, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and improve quality of life.
APTA reports that individuals can achieve an average annual savings of over $8,000 by taking public transportation instead of driving and by living with one less car. Also, for every $1 invested in public transportation infrastructure, $6 is generated in economic returns to communities.
In honor of Dump the Pump Day, the CTA is teaming up with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and other local transit agencies to distribute transit benefits information, a flyer outlining the benefits of public transit and "I Dumped the Pump" stickers at transit locations throughout the city during the morning rush periods.
The CTA also encourages Chicago residents to use the APTA Transit Calculator to compare the price of using public transportation with the price of paying at the pump and parking.
“We look forward to welcoming new riders and thanking our regular riders for taking the CTA on National Dump the Pump Day,” said CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez. “In addition to saving money over driving, choosing public transit also helps to reduce emissions and improve our air quality as well as lessening traffic congestion.”
CTA removes about 400,000 vehicles from the region’s roads each weekday. A full eight-car CTA train removes more than 600 cars from the road, and each 40-foot CTA bus removes more than 60 cars.
In addition, finding ways to incorporate green technologies and initiatives into its operations as funding becomes available is an ongoing priority at the CTA. The CTA continues to add to its fleet of hybrid buses. The agency currently has 20 40-foot hybrids and 150 60-foot hybrids in service. Additional 60-foot hybrids purchased with stimulus funds are expected to arrive this summer.
Since 1999, the size of CTA's bus fleet has increased while total bus fleet emissions have decreased by more than 30%. The decrease in fleet emissions are a result of new CTA buses that are equipped with low emission engines, the growing number of hybrid buses in the agency's fleet and the switch to ultra low sulfur diesel fuel combined with clean diesel technology. As CTA continues to take delivery of the articulated hybrid buses, emissions will continue to decrease.
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