Customers encouraged to ride transit more to reduce ground-level ozone
Posted on July 14, 2022 2022News and EventsTransportation
Information courtesy of RTD.
Looking for a way to get to work, downtown Denver for entertainment or to the airport? Give RTD a try, for free, in August.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) recently announced the launch of Zero Fare for Better Air – a collaborative, statewide initiative designed to reduce ground-level ozone by increasing use of public transit. Through a partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, RTD will offer zero fares on all of its services during August.
The effort is made possible by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180, the ozone season transit grant program in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office. Aug. 1-31 is Colorado’s high ozone season. RTD welcomes individuals who may have never used its transit services, customers whose travel habits have changed during the pandemic, and customers who continue to rely on RTD to deliver them to the important destinations in their lives.
“RTD is committed to promoting better air through its strategic plan priority of Community Value, in which the agency strives to be a strong community partner, providing value to customers as well as to the broader Denver metro region while sustaining planet Earth,” General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said. “The agency has already made such commitments as evidenced by its 36 battery-electric sub fleet that operates on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver and, further, through the recent procurement of 17 additional zero emission buses that are expected to be delivered and deployed to some fixed routes in early 2023.”
Customer benefits of Zero Fare for Better Air will be substantial. In addition to taking RTD with zero fare for an entire month, RTD customers will experience environmental, financial, lifestyle and community benefits of transit that include:
Saving money. Taking the bus or train saves on vehicle expenses such as maintenance, parking and tolls, which add up quickly. A household can save nearly $10,000 annually by taking public transportation and living with one less car.
Saving gas. With gas hovering around $5 per gallon, switching to public transit frees up additional funds in customers’ everyday budgets. In addition, public transportation saves the United States an estimated 6 billion gallons of gas each year.
Reducing traffic. Taking public transit removes vehicles from roadways, limiting traffic congestion, air pollution and ground-level ozone.
Reducing stress. Taking public transit eliminates the stress and anxiety of battling everyday traffic.
Saving time. While taking public transit, customers can catch up on reading, emails and podcasts, or just sit back and relax.
Improving air quality. Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. Using public transit creates 84% less carbon emissions than driving a car.
Customers who are new to the RTD system can plan trips or research routes by visiting the agency’s website, where they can use the Trip Planner app, access schedules or sign up for Service Alerts. Next Ride provides real-time vehicle information. To ask questions during normal business hours (6 a.m.-6 p.m.), call Customer Care at 303-299-6000.
ABOUT RTD
The Regional Transportation District develops, operates and maintains a public transportation system that meets the transit needs of close to 3 million people within an eight-county service area in the Denver Metro region.
For more information, visit rtd-denver.com, call 303-299-6000, and follow along on social media: www.facebook.com/RideRTD on Facebook, @RideRTD on Twitter, @ridertd on Instagram and rideRTDco on YouTube.
For the most current RTD news, visit the News Stop.
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