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National
Report: Increased Transit Use Reduced Carbon Emissions by 37 Million Tons
In 2008, people in America saved 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline by riding transit in record numbers -- the amount consumed by 7.2 million cars in a year. Transportation is responsible for more than two-thirds of our dependence on oil, and about one-third of our carbon dioxide pollution, as Environment America outlined in their new report ''Getting On Track: Record Transit Ridership Increases Energy Independence.''
''People are voting with their feet by driving less and taking more public transportation,'' said Rob McCulloch, Environment America Transportation Advocate. ''Congress should listen to these voters and invest more in public transportation, which will increase our energy independence and reduce global warming pollution,'' McCulloch added.
In the U.S., last year annual transit ridership increased 4 percent, and many agencies are seeing continued growth in 2009. Washington D.C. transit ridership grew by 4.5 percent in the first quarter of 2009, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
''Metro and transit-oriented development are success stories for the Washington region and offer an excellent national example of the benefits of transit,'' said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. Increased transit ridership offers other benefits as well, including reduced congestion, fewer hours stuck in traffic, reductions in smog and soot pollution, and money saved by households regularly taking transit.
''Aside from the energy savings and reduction in climate change-causing carbon emissions, Metro and our other transit services offer greater travel choices and save families money,'' Schwartz said. According to APTA, a two-person household can save up to $9,167 a year by living with one less car.
In addition to fuel savings and reduced commuting costs, public transportation reduced global warming pollution in the U.S. by 37 million tons in 2008. -- Environment America 9/23/2009
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