DELAND -- Save some green by going green on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, when you “Wear Your Fare” on Votran, says Michelle Coats, a Volusia County spokeswoman.
The Earth Day savings is to encourage use of the green transportation alternatives offered by the agency. On Earth Day, anyone wearing a green shirt will ride the regular fixed route service free.
“This is in support of Earth Day and our loyal riders,” said Votran General Manager Lois Bollenback. “We’re trying to reward loyal riders with a free day plus encourage those who don’t normally use public transit to try it. The green benefits of public transit are significant. We hope to raise awareness about how important public transit is for our community.”
Votran riders, even those who use monthly passes, are encouraged to wear a green shirt in support of Earth Day. When a rider boards the bus wearing a green shirt two things will happen: they will ride free and the driver will reward them with a green token. Riders will be asked to complete the front of the token and place it in a fare box. Votran will randomly select several tokens and award riders with public transit prizes.
Some facts by the American Public Transportation Association:
• Public transportation produces 95-percent less carbon monoxide, 90-percent less in volatile organic compounds, and about half as much carbon dioxide (CO2)and nitrogen oxide, per passenger mile, as private vehicles. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions represent 82 percent of total U.S. human-made greenhouse emissions.
• Public transportation reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually - equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. To achieve similar reduction in carbon emissions, every household in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles combined would have to completely stop using electricity.
• If an individual switches a 20-mile round-trip commute to public transportation his or her annual CO2 emissions will fall by 4,800 pounds per year, equal to a 10-percent reduction in a two-car household’s carbon footprint.
• Each year, public transportation use in the U.S. saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline. This represents almost 4 million gallons of gasoline per day.
• Public transportation use saves the equivalent of 300,000 fewer automobile fill-ups every day.
• The typical public transit rider consumes on average one half of the oil consumed by an automobile rider.
• If public transit systems had never existed in American cities and their effects on our urban landscapes were completely erased, American households would drive 102.2 billion more miles per year.
For more information about Votran’s Earth Day event, please call (386) 761-7700.
FAST FACTS:
Votran provides public transit service for residents and visitors in Volusia County, Florida. In fiscal year 2008, Votran recorded more than 3.4 million boardings. The Votran family of services includes fixed-route bus service, beachside trolleys, express bus commuter service, dial-a-ride paratransit service and commuter assistance programs. Votran provides transportation to all urban areas of the county with a fleet of more than 50 revenue-producing fixed route buses, four trackless trolleys, 27 van pools and more than 40 paratransit vehicles. Votran is a service of Volusia County Government.