Metro Transit helps customers mark Earth Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – (April 19) – Ride the wind-powered light-rail train, hop on a hybrid bus, sign up for the Commuter Challenge.

These are all options for those interested in focusing on the environment Sunday as the world marks the 37th annual Earth Day.

Metro Transit kicks off its Go Greener Initiative on Earth Day with fun activities that have a serious purpose, said Brian Lamb, Metro Transit general manager.

Lamb said the agency is purchasing enough wind power from Xcel Energy’s Windsource program to essentially power the entire Hiawatha light-rail operation by wind on Sunday.*

“This gesture draws attention to the rail line, which already is an environmentally friendly way to travel,” he said. “The wind-driven train also helps focus on our agency-wide commitment to the environment.”

Metro Transit is ordering 314 new buses, including 150 with hybrid electric technology. The hybrid buses deliver 22 percent better fuel mileage and produce half the soot emissions of the buses they replace.

To mark this Go Greener milestone, Metro Transit will offer free rides on its three hybrid electric buses on Sunday. The buses will be operating on Route 10 along Central Avenue in Minneapolis.

“Everyone can get involved in Earth Day by taking part in Commuter Challenge 2007,” Lamb said.

Those who sign up on Metro Transit’s website and commit to trying an alternative to driving alone at least once by the end of June will become eligible for prizes, including flat-screen TVs, i-Pods and bikes.

“Last year, 10,500 people took the challenge, and among those who used to drive alone, 45 percent are still using alternative transportation,” he said. More information on the Commuter Challenge.

Lamb said the agency will load its website - metrotransit.org – tomorrow (April 20) with information on what citizens can do personally to improve the environment and details of Metro Transit's commitments, including the use of five percent biodiesel in all of its nearly 900 buses.

He encouraged citizens to learn more in person at the Living Green Expo May 5 and May 6 at the state fairgrounds where Metro Transit will join other groups that focus on sustaining the environment.

Metro Transit is a service of the Metropolitan Council. Customers boarded its buses and trains 73.8 million times in 2006, the highest annual ridership in 22 years.

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* Metro Transit is purchasing 540 100-kilowatt blocks of wind energy from Xcel Energy, which is equivalent to the amount of electricity needed to operate light rail on an average day. The wind power will be generated in southern Minnesota under Xcel Energy’s Windsource program, which gives commercial and residential customers a way to support this clean, renewable energy supply.

(Editors: For more information contact, Bob Gibbons, director of customer services, 612-349-7509 or robert.gibbons@metc.state.mn.us. Metro Transit Marketing Director Bruce Howard is available for interviews. To schedule, call Bob Gibbons)