You Hold The Keys To Healthier Air!
They say old habits are hard to break, but when it comes to transportation and our air, the Air Quality Partnership wants to encourage everyone to do just that, break some old habits! It’s easy and beneficial too. Just leave your keys at home and consider carpooling, taking the bus, biking or even walking to work. In addition to saving money and helping protect our air, you may actually find yourself enjoying the ride and improving your health!
Easy Ways To Kick the Habit and Save Money!
Share Your Ride
We find that most people are pleasantly surprised by how easy and fun sharing your ride can be. Not only does it help us clean up our air, it also takes the monotony out of the daily commute.
Carpool or Vanpool
Carpooling is a great way to reduce the costs and stress associated with your commute. It can be as simple as two co-workers or even a husband and wife sharing
the ride to work.
Vanpooling is similar to carpooling except the vehicle is a van and the costs are significantly reduced because more people share the ride.
Take the Bus
Traveling by bus is great way to share your ride and to make sure you get to work on time. The Susquehanna Valley has several bus systems that provide public transportation services across the area. Whether you are a college student, commuter or senior Citizen, your local public transportation provider can be an important resource.
- Each year it’s estimated that households that use public transportation save over $1,399 worth of gas.
- Public transportation use saves the equivalent of 300,000 fewer automobile fill-ups every day.
- By reducing smog-producing pollutants, greenhouse gases and by conserving ecologically sensitive lands and open spaces – public transportation is helping to meet national air quality standards
Take the Train
Commuting by train is a great way for you to save wear and tear on your vehicle. And you can use the travel time to read or relax. For information on traveling on Amtrak, including schedules and fares, click here.
National Dump the Pump Day
The fifth annual National Dump the Pump Day is on Thursday, June 16, 2011.
The day is designed to encourage people to get out of their cars and ride public transportation to raise awareness of the financial and environmental benefits of public transportation. Public transportation has the ability to save people money, conserve gasoline, and reduce the harmful greenhouse gases emitted into our environment. Check out what our area Transit Organizations are doing;
Capital Area Transit
Rabbitt Transit
Red Rose Transit
COLT
Bike to Work
Believe or not, by biking just 4 miles you can keep 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air while enjoying some good cardiovascular exercise. Find out how you can help your employer become a Bicycle Friendly Business and be sure to participate in National Bike to Work Day & Week.
What's a Bicycle Friendly Business?
The Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) program recognizes employers’ efforts to encourage a more bicycle friendly atmosphere for employees and customers. The program honors innovative bike-friendly efforts and provides technical assistance and information to help companies and organizations become even better for bicyclists. Find out how you can help your employer become a Bicycle Friendly Business
Air Quality Awareness Week
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service urge Americans to "Be Air Aware" during Air Quality Awareness Week, May 2 - 6, 2011. Visit the website
Resources
Need help with commuting options?
Commuter Services is a professionally staffed organization funded by federal Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality funds. Through our free services, we work to reduce traffic congestion by helping commuters find alternatives, other than driving alone, and by reaching out to employers so they can help their workforce find those options. Using alternatives also helps improve air quality, and fewer cars in rush hour can mean safer highways, too. Visit the website
The League of American Bicyclists
This national organization's mission is to promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.
Visit the website
