If travelling long distances, you may want to consider public transportation to cut down on your carbon footprint.  Trains at www.amtrak.com or the bus at www.greyhound.com

Here are just some of the benefits of using Public Transportation

• Energy independence—According to Treehugger.com, if just one in 10 Americans used public transportation daily, U.S. reliance on foreign oil would decrease 40 percent.
• Safety—Riding a bus is 79 times safer than riding in an automobile, and riding a train or subway is even safer.
• Health—Studies have shown that people who use public transportation regularly tend to be healthier than people who don’t, because of the exercise they get walking to and from bus stops, subway stations and their homes and offices.
• Cost savings—According to an APTA study, families that use public transportation can reduce their household expenses by $6,200 annually, more than the average U.S. household spends on food every year.

PS: Calculation of Emissions based on 650,000 lbs over 20 years with 25% ridership in a mid-sized city (400,00 residents)

According to LA's Big Blue Bus:

1) Public transportation saves more than 855 million gallons of gasoline each year.  

2) If Americans used public transit for just 10% of our travel needs, we'd reduce dependence on imported oil by more than 40%.  

3) For every mile you ride on a bus, you cut harmful emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 50%.

California just passed the high speed train psoposition 1a which allows for the buliding of a new high speed rail in California.  As part of this solution make sure to ride the high speed train in California for your trips inside the state.  See http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/ for more information on the progress of the passing of this proposition.

reference link: http://environment.about.com/od/greenlivingdesign/a/public_transit.htm

4 Comments

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alorenk says:

see "invest in monthly bus pass"; you'll take the bus more and support public transit. Even better than donating to the Sierra Club or such. We don't have other public transit here, but same principle.

posted 12/31/08 at 02:36 PM

 

bmehra says:

Phoenix light rail is now open for public travel. The line runs from north-central Phoenix through downtown and then east into suburban Tempe and Mesa. Rides on the new system are free through Wednesday. Hope commuters reduce their reliance on cars and start using this new light rail.

posted 12/27/08 at 02:39 PM

 

randyolsen says:

The train between Santa Barbra, Los Angeles and San Diego is a joy.  There are several a day, some great views and it's so relaxing!  I get work done, walk about, and read.  When in New York there are trains going everywhere all the time.  Treat you're self, take the train!

posted 06/09/08 at 06:40 AM

 

thecitizen says:

This saves you money and the earth a great deal of carbon emissions.  Also, you may meet some friends on the way, or get some needed reading done.  Plus, you get to enjoy the view rather than fight your way through traffic!

posted 03/05/08 at 07:57 PM

 

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