09/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/22/2024 11:18
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the launch of an Avoided Carbon Calculator, a new feature on TrainTime, the app used by Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North riders to plan trips and purchase tickets, that will allow customers to track how their choice to ride transit fights greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global climate change, based on their trips purchased.
"The TrainTime app is already a fantastic resource for our customers, allowing them to plan trips and purchase tickets all in one place," said Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi. "Now whether you're a daily commuter or occasional Metro-North rider, you can see firsthand how getting even one car off the road can make for a greener region."
"Using public transportation reduces emissions" said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free. "And by showing train rides in terms of car miles avoided, we're making it easy for riders to know how their doing their part."
This Avoided Carbon Calculator will enable customers to see the impact of their choice to ride commuter railroads instead of driving by calculating the carbon emissions avoided compared to the same trip by car. Commuters and other regular riders will also be able to see a running total of their avoided carbon emissions, conveying the impact a person can have by regularly choosing public transit. For example, a Metro North rider traveling from Peekskill to Grand Central Terminal avoids 64 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and 45 car miles. The calculator factors in the life-cycle emissions associated with Metro-North or LIRR operations and utilizes clearly defined methodology.
MTA services collectively avoid over 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, which explains why the downstate region has the low per-capita carbon emissions. Public transit helps avoid carbon by reducing vehicle miles traveled, reducing congestion on roads, enabling dense land use which allows for walking, biking, and shorter car trips, and reducing the emissions associated with the upstream production and distribution of fuel.
The MTA is committed to reducing carbon emissions from our operations 85% by 2040. Progress to date includes:
The MTA's 2025-2029 Capital Plan will continue these climate sustainability efforts, with the procurement of more electric buses, dual-mode and hybrid locomotives; continued electrification of our non-revenue vehicle fleet and state-of-good-repair improvements that simultaneously reduce energy and fossil fuel consumption. The Capital Plan also includes climate resilience programs that reduce the exposure of MTA infrastructure to extreme weather events caused by climate change already underway.
Customers can download the TrainTime app from the Apple Store or Google Play. The app allows customer to: