Submitted By: Intercity Transit
Olympia-Thurston County, WA – People worldwide celebrate Earth Day by taking extra steps to protect the planet. Here in Washington State, 53 percent of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels stem from transportation uses, including commute travel, freight, and planes. Transportation produces more than three times as much climate pollution as electricity production, according Seattle based Sightline Institute. And, with gas prices at record levels in the region, residents and commuters find that an effective way to help save money and the environment is to drive less.
According to Intercity Transit, the public transit agency for Thurston County, commuters can save an average of $190 per month riding the bus, $39 carpooling with just one other person, and $360 sharing the commute in a vanpool (savings will vary based on length of commute and other factors). Commuters can save even more by bicycling or walking.
Intercity Transit, reports 2011 ridership was up 4.5 percent on its fixed-route service. Last year’s increase reflects a long-term upward trend in transit ridership locally and nationally. Intercity Transit ridership has increased more than 80 percent in the last decade. Nationally, ridership on public transportation grew 31 percent from 1995 through 2010, and 2011 experienced the second highest ridership since 1957, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Use of public transportation has been on the rise for many years, indicating the public’s desire for more cost-effective, less environmentally damaging transportation options. According to APTA, public transportation in America saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline every year and reduces our nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons – the equivalent of 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day. Locally, Intercity Transit officials expect the surge in transit service use to continue as, so far this year, ridership on fixed route is up 3.8 percent over last year. And 94 percent of citizens surveyed in 2009 indicated they would change their transportation behavior if gas prices returned to $4 a gallon. That research was commissioned by Intercity Transit and resulted in a market segmentation study of 600 randomly selected households within Intercity Transit service area.
Demand for vanpool service is also up, with 15 percent more vanpool vehicles on the road and a 7 percent increase in total vanpool ridership over 2010. The agency gained 482 new vanpool customers and started 27 new vanpool groups in 2011. Intercity Transit currently operates the most vanpools in its history, with 208 vanpools in service. Vanpooling provides a rideshare option for commuters traveling long distances. One end of the commute trip must be in Thurston County.
“Using a transportation alternative and driving less is the single most significant way people can reduce their carbon footprint,” states Mike Harbour, General Manager of Intercity Transit. “And with Earth Day arriving this month along with record gas prices, there’s no time like the present for commuters to explore their options.”
According to the APT’s “Transit Savings Report” one person riding public transportation can save about $844 a month – over $10,000 a year – driving one less vehicle and using public transportation instead. The figure is based on average national gas price, parking costs, and auto and maintenance costs (as of March 26, 2012).
Events
Alternative travel options come in many forms: riding the bus, carpooling, vanpooling, cycling – even walking or flexing work hours to commute fewer days, or teleworking. Over the next several weeks, a series of community events will help interested individuals and families explore their travel options.
• Bicycle Commuter Contest, register in April, ride in May – Intercity Transit’s Bicycle Commuter Contest encourages individuals and families to ride a bicycle to work and on errands in return for valuable coupons, prizes, better health, and a better environment! Visit bccblog.com, e-mail dgreen@intercitytransit.com or call 360-705-5874.
• Sustainability Summit, April 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., SPSCC. A summit providing a framework for creating resilient communities in response to climate change and other global issues. Intercity Transit will license “undrivers” who pledge to use transportation alternatives and exhibit earth friendly behavior. Registration required for the summit. Visit transitolympia.org.
• Earth Day Market Ride, April 21, 9 – 11 a.m. A neighborhood bicycle ride to the Olympia Farmers Market in downtown Olympia where Intercity Transit will host a table. Visit bccblog.com, call 360-705-5874, or e-mail dgreen@intercitytransit.com.
• 3rd Annual South Sound Green Tour, April 21 and 22. LOTT in downtown Olympia. This year’s tour highlights the comfort and affordability of sustainable lifestyles both at home and at work. Visit ecobuilding.org or call 360-789-9669. Intercity Transit will sponsor the Green Transportation Hub and provide transportation via its Community Vans service.
• YMCA Healthy Kids Day, April 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., multiple locations, a free, family event. Intercity Transit will have a hybrid-biodiesel electric bus on display.
• Wrenchers Ball, April 27, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Olympia Transit Center, downtown Olympia. This popular annual bike safety check event returns with bike mechanic volunteers providing minor repairs and safety checks for anyone registered for the Thurston County Bicycle Commuter Contest. Visit bccblog.com, call 705-5874, or e-mail dgreen@intercitytransit.com.
• Alternative Fuel Fair, May 5, Lacey, at Huntamer Park. Visit ci.lacey.wa.us for details.
• National Train Day – Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Amtrak Centennial Station, celebrating rail transportation. Call 360-705-5891.
• Bike to School Week – Monday, May 14 – Friday, May 18. E-mail escheel@intercitytransit.com or call 360-705-5839.
• Bike to Work Day – Friday, May 18. Visit bccbog.com, e-mail dgreen@intercitytransit.com or call 360-705-5839.
Calculate Your Cost Savings
Calculate how much money – and CO2 emissions – you can save using a transportation option with Intercity Transit’s commute cost calculator at www.commute-calculator.com.
Intercity Transit Service Options
Service Every 15 Minutes on major corridors in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and west Olympia make bus travel convenient, reliable and flexible. For more information contact Customer Service at 360-786-1881 or email customerservice@intercitytransit.com.
