Broward County Transit Encourages Students
With the push to go green and reduce greenhouse gases, Broward County Transit (BCT) is encouraging local high school juniors and seniors to apply for participation in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) first “Teening” Up for a Greener World Youth Summit, to be held June 22-25, 2008 in Washington, D.C.
This all expense paid youth summit is sponsored by APTA, the leading national voice in the public transportation industry, and will focus on the environmental benefits of public transportation, as well as how communities prosper with increased public transit services. There will be no cost to Summit participants.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the young people of our community to learn about the positive impact that public transportation has on the environment,” said Christopher Walton, director, Broward County Transportation Department. “Coming together with other teens from across the country, the students will gain insight into a growing industry that directly impacts their future and the future of our country,” said Walton.
The summit will give participants the opportunity to spend three days in the nation’s capital — meeting with lawmakers and leaders and learning first-hand the ways public transportation can shape the future.
Public transportation is a key part of the solution to reducing our nation’s carbon emissions. Each year, America’s public transportations systems reduce carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons. An individual who switches to public transportation can reduce his or her daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds; that’s more than 4,800 pounds in a year.
BCT will be adding 12 diesel electric hybrid buses to its fleet this spring. According to industry reports, hybrid buses have been found to improve fuel efficiency, and to reduce exhaust emissions up to ninety percent. Additionally, Broward County Transit recently received its first delivery of bio-diesel fuel, a mixture made from regular diesel fuel and processed vegetable or soybean oil, and with the same environmental benefits.
Students and parents who are interested in learning about the summit or to download an application can go to www.apta.com/youthsummit. “Teening” Up for a Greener World Youth Summit is only open to a limited number of students; application deadline is April 25, 2008.
For more information on BCT, call the customer service center at 954-357-8400; 954-357-8302 (TTY), or www.broward.org/bct.
Add comment April 19th, 2008