Simple Steps Can Lead to a Cleaner Environment

Earlier this month, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management issued a poor air quality alert for Marion and other counties in the state. The alert was due to higher levels of pollutants and particulate matter in the air from man-made and natural sources. IndyGo's CEO Gilbert Holmes' presents a commentary on Indiana's first-ever winter air-quality alert

(PRWEB) February 13, 2005 -- This is a wake up call for change. On behalf of the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, known as IndyGo, I want to encourage residents to take simple steps including carpooling, vanpooling, walking, biking and using public transportation to reduce this type of pollution that affects our individual health as well as the health of our communities.

The message is clear: We each need to do what we can to reduce pollution.

Our aim is clear: Provide mobility solutions that are safe, reliable and environmentally friendly to satisfy the needs of our community such as electric hybrid buses, carpooling and vanpooling services.

We all are aware of ozone in the summer, but the environmental threat of air pollution is year-round. Elevated levels of dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and chemicals in the air prompted the states first-ever winter season alert.

One of the main causes for this type of pollution is mobile emissions. Our city and outlying communities are growing tremendously. As a result, we are experiencing increased traffic congestion and increased emissions. This is a solvable problem. We must change the transportation culture of Central Indiana to sustain development. Air pollution does not contribute to the vibrant, economically strong city that we are building. Nor does it help any of us health-wise.

Change is needed from everyone in order to reverse this impact on our environment and achieve the new air quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If Central Indiana does not meet these standards the region may lose federal funding for roads and transportation, as well as opportunities to attract new businesses.

IndyGo is committed to educating the public on commuting alternatives to ensure that we have a healthy environment to live, work, and play.

We are doing our part by providing innovative services that are in-tune with the needs of our urban contemporary lifestyles and directly address environmental issues.

We are among several communities nation-wide investing in buses powered by electric hybrid technology manufactured by our own GM Allison. This technology offers greater fuel economy and dramatically lowers emissions over conventional buses. Additionally, we are using alternative fuels such as soy bio-diesel and plan to switch to ultra-low sulfur diesel with particulate emission traps in the future. We have established an innovative commuter services program for the residents of Indianapolis and our surrounding counties-Central Indiana Commuter Services (CICS).

CICS is a federally funded program that IndyGo operates to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. CICS helps commuters find alternative transportation options that reduce the stress and the cost of driving alone to work each day. These transportation options include carpooling, vanpooling, public transportation, biking and walking. CICS services are free to all those who work in the nine county central Indiana region and easily accessible through the web site or by phone.

The services we offer are just a few steps we are taking to contribute to healthy residents, economic development, a cleaner environment and a better quality of life.

Local employers such as Clarian, Dow AgroSciences, SBC, City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana are already using CICS as an employee benefit to get them to work safely and efficiently while saving them money. Hundreds of residents are using the hybrid bus transit to get to work. However, more proactive participation is needed to impact the air quality issues.

We can solve this problem together.

Sharing a ride, using the bus or walking are low-to-no cost ways that all residents can use to save money and improve our environment.

Last weeks alert was a wake up call for us to change. We cannot ignore it. We are a product of our environment. If it is contaminated, so are we. One more day, one more year without changing our commuting habits leads to more erosion of our health, natural resources, and opportunities that sustain world-class communities. Through IndyGo and its mobility options, Central Indiana has choices for people to do their part in addressing environmental concerns. These are simple steps that will significantly impact our lives for the better. The choice is ours. We must choose to change.

For more information on IndyGo services including CICS, visit www.indygo.net or call The IndyGo Transit Store, located 209 N. Delaware Street, at 635-3344; TDD/Hearing Impaired call 637-0759.

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Gilbert L. Holmes is the President and CEO of the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation