METRO KICKS OFF BIKES-ON-BUSES PROGRAM
ONE OF MANY STEPS METRO IS TAKING TO BE GREENER April 20, 2007

Riding METRO has always been good for the environment. Now it’s getting even “greener” with the kick off of METRO’s
Bikes-On-Buses program.

On Thursday, April 19, 2007, 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.