Submitted by Intercity Transit
A significant way to be planet friendly is to bus, bike, walk, and share the ride.
People here in the Pacific Northwest and around the world celebrate Earth Day by taking extra steps to protect the planet. They face dozens of sustainability choices every day. Paper or plastic? Organic or conventional? Compost or trash? Drive or take the bus? But which one makes the most difference for the planet? It turns out that, here in the Northwest, the best strategy for reducing your impact is to walk, bike, or use public transportation.
That’s because here in Washington State, 52 percent of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels stem from transportation uses including commute traffic, freight, and planes. Our transportation sector produces more than three times as much climate pollution as electricity production, according Seattle based Sightline Institute.
“Using a transportation alternative and driving less is the single most significant way people can reduce their carbon footprint,” states Ann Freeman Manzanares, Intercity Transit Interim General Manager. “And with Earth Day upon us and gas prices increasing, there’s no time like the present for to explore green transportation options.”
According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), driving less makes an immediate positive impact in reducing energy use and carbon output – exceeding even the combined benefits of using energy-efficient light bulbs, adjusting thermostats, weatherizing one’s home and replacing a refrigerator.
By switching to bus instead of solo car travel for an individual’s 20-mile roundtrip commute, his or her annual CO2 emissions will fall by 4,800 pounds per year. And according to the APTA’s “Transit Savings Report” one person riding public transportation can save more than $10,000 a year by owning one less vehicle and using public transportation instead. The figure is based on average national gas price, parking costs, and auto and maintenance costs.
Transit Use at Record Levels
Washington and Oregon residents are responding to volatile gas prices by driving less, according to Sightline Institute. And transit systems across the nation are experiencing increases in their ridership as well.
Intercity Transit, the public transit agency for Thurston County, reports 2012 ridership was up 2.3 percent. Over the past decade, ridership increased more than 85 percent. Nationwide, Americans took 10.5 billion trips, the second highest ridership record since 1957 and 157 million more trips than 2011, according to the American Public Transportation Association.
Demand for vanpool service is also up, with a 9 percent increase in Intercity Transit vanpool use in 2012 over 2011. Last year 214 vanpools were on the road, the most in the agency’s history. Intercity Transit vanpool service continues to grow with 223 active vanpools projected by the end of this year. Vanpooling provides a rideshare option for commuters traveling long distances. One end of the commute trip must be in Thurston County.
Public Transportation is Green in Lots of Ways
In addition to reducing billions of automobile trips each year and being an integral component of the nation’s transportation system, mass transit is a workhorse for the environment in other ways, too. Public transit systems commonly invest in environmentally friendly vehicles such as hybrid electric coaches, which can be 30 to 40 percent more fuel efficient than conventional diesel buses. Many systems also make use of solar technology, build LEED-certified energy efficient facilities, and use green fuels such as biodiesel and CNG.
Locally, Intercity Transit fuels its buses with green-burning biodiesel, is expanding its number of solar-lit bus shelters, and is in the planning stages to construct two LEED-certified facilities to meet growing demand. By next year, a full 30 percent of the agency’s coaches will be hybrid diesel-electric.
The Olympia-based transit system is now completing a multi-year program to implement international environmental standards that facilitate long-term environmental stewardship. The Federal Transit Administration selected Intercity Transit for the program in 2010. Intercity Transit was one of the first transit agencies in the U.S. to receive a Gold rating by the American Public Transportation Association for its commitment to sustainability. For more information, visit http://www.intercitytransit.com/about/sustainability/Pages/default.aspx.
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.
Earth Friendly 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 Intercity Transit events will help individuals explore travel options.
- Bicycle Commuter Contest, register in April, ride in May – Intercity Transit’s Bicycle Commuter Contest encourages individuals and teams 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.
- Earth Day Market Ride, April 20, 9–11 am. 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.
- Wrenchers Ball, April 26, 7 am–3 pm, 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 360-705-5874, or e-mail dgreen@intercitytransit.com.
- Undriving Event, Saturday, May 4, 10 am–2 pm, Huntamer Park (part of Alternative Fuel Fair). Contact dfeliciano@intercitytransit.com or call 360-705-5891.
- Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 17. Visit bccbog.com, e-mail dgreen@intercitytransit.com or call 360-705-5839.
Intercity Transit Service Options
24 Routes serve Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, and Tacoma, with connections to regional transit systems. For more customized assistance, contact Customer Service at 360-786-1881 or email customerservice@intercitytransit.com. You can also do customized trip planning by bus, bike or foot is available online at www.intercitytransit.com.
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.
Travel Training, a free personalized training for individuals and small groups new to using transit. People of all ages and abilities can take advantage of this program. For more information contact 360-705-5879 or email traveltraining@intercitytransit.com.
Vanpools are available for commuters traveling to and from work throughout the South Puget Sound and Southwest Washington regions. Commuters can ride their first week free as a trial. Contact Vanpool/Carpool Services at 360-786-8800 or e-mail vans@intercitytransit.com. Available vanpools can also be found on www.rideshareonline.com.
Carpool Matching is a free online service for people searching for vanpool or carpool partners, www.rideshareonline.com, or call 360-786-8800.
Three park & ride lots provide a total of 750 free parking stalls for commuters to meet their bus, vanpool, carpool – or even the train. The newest lot, built in Hawks Prairie atop a closed portion of the local Waste and Recovery Center and located at exit 111 off I-5, will have express service by next year pending adequate funding. Commuters may also use the Martin Way-I-5 lot (exit 109) and the Amtrak Centennial Station lot (Yelm Hwy).
Fares & Bus Passes make bus riding easy. Regular Intercity Transit bus fare is $2.50 for all day and $1.25 for a single trip. Monthly passes are $15 to $36 for local service and $90 for Olympia Express service to and from Pierce County. They are good for unlimited travel for the month on all Intercity Transit bus service. Express routes to and from Tacoma are $3 each way without the monthly pass (connections with Sound Transit for service to Seattle require additional fare).
Employer Subsidies and Pass Programs used by many commuters who realize additional savings by taking advantage of employer subsidies for bus or vanpool fares. Washington State employees who work in Thurston County ride Intercity Transit free with a STAR Pass, made possible through a contract between the state of Washington and Intercity Transit. Visit www.ctr.wa.gov for information on the STAR Pass. Similar programs exist for Thurston County and City of Olympia employees, students at South Puget Sound Community College, Saint Martin’s University, and The Evergreen State College. Contact Intercity Transit employer services at 360-705-5836.
