Ride Free, Ride Green This Sunday, April 22.
Public transportation is an important part of improving air quality and the health of everyone in our region. That’s why in celebration of Earth Day, Sound Transit is inviting everyone to board its express buses for free.
You’ll not only get a free ride on our comfortable and convenient services, you’ll also be doing your part in protecting our most valuable resource.
Reasons to ride:
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Americans living in areas served by public transportation save $18 billion annually in congestion costs.
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Transit riders also save about $1,400 in gas per year.
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Transit availability can reduce the need for an additional car, a yearly expense of $6,251 in a household budget.
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For every dollar earned, the average household spends 18 cents on transportation, 94 percent of which is for buying, maintaining and operating cars.
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Public transportation consumes an average of one-half the oil consumed by the typical automotive user.
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Public transportation in Seattle annually saved travelers 6 million hours in travel time and $566 million in fuel and time costs.
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Emissions from road vehicles are the largest contributors to smog.
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Public transportation produced 95 percent less carbon monoxide (Co) 90 percent less in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and about half as much carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) per passenger mile, as private vehicles.
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Riders who focused on saving fuel discovered other benefits of taking public transportation, such as avoiding traffic jams and reading or relaxing while traveling.
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Public transportation has lower accident rates than automobiles. Public transit has 0.03 fatal accidents per 100 million miles, about 1/25th the rate for automobiles; injuries as well as fatalities are reduced.
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Public transportation fosters a more active lifestyle. Walking to and from transit helps inactive persons attain a significant portion of recommended minimum daily exercise they need.
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Public transportation fosters more livable communities; encourages neighborhood interaction. Contact with neighbors tends to increase, ultimately helping to bring a community together. Transit friendly communities also promote more physical activity
*Public Transportation: Benefits for the 21st Century, 2007, American Public Transportation Association.
