Metropolitan Transit Authority
of Harris County, Texas

METRO kicks off bikes-on-buses program
-one of many steps METRO is taking to be greener-

Elected officials and bicycle enthusiasts supported METRO at a news conference on Friday, April 20

This week METRO installed 21 racks on its new hybrid diesel-electric buses.

By December 31, 2007, about 800 of METRO's local buses will have bike racks. Bike riders can also store their bikes in the designated luggage bays of METRO's Park & Ride buses and bikes are allowed on METRORail during nonpeak hours.

METRO is spending $1.3 million for the program, with $1.2 million coming from Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding, and $142,000 in local funds.

METRO projects its new racks, which can accommodate two bikes, will attract 165,000 new boardings each year.

METRO's 40 new hybrid buses are expected to post a fuel savings of 30 percent or more. The hybrid technology reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by more than 50 percent and greatly reduces particulate, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions.

METRO's bike racks and hybrid buses are the most visible of METRO's green programs, but the agency is environmentally friendly in many other ways as well. METRO recycles the water it uses to wash its fleet, reducing the number of gallons used per bus by 14 percent. It also recycles scrap metal, tires, batteries, wood palettes and oil, and uses green-tipped fluorescent lamps which contain lower levels of mercury.

Of course, one of the best ways for Houston to be greener is to ride METRO.

April 21, 2007
Volume II, No. 11

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Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas
1900 Main
Houston, TX 77002