Transit agencies showcase their role in slowing climate change, bring attention to ridership programs, and invite community members to try transit.

By Arianna Smith
Managing Editor
Transit California

"Every day is Earth Day" may be a well-worn slogan to promote environmental causes, but it's also a daily practice for California's transit agencies, who are racing to install hydrogen and electrification infrastructure, replacing fleets with zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs), and implementing fare simplification projects to convert drivers into regular transit riders. So how do transit agencies promote their year-round efforts when Earth Day arrives - and why does it matter?

Earth Day has been celebrated annually on April 22 since 1970, and in recent years, many organizations have expanded their activities to include the whole week or even the entire month of April. Although transit agencies do critical environmental work all year, many operators use Earth Day as a creative opportunity to showcase their role in slowing climate change, bring attention to their existing ridership programs, and ultimately, invite community members to try transit.

Recognition of Outstanding Environmental Stewardship

On Earth Day 2022, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recognized ten transit agencies for their work to mitigate climate change through the Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet initiative, the goal of which had been announced on Earth Day 2021, for the United States to achieve a 50-52% reduction from 2005 levels in "economy-wide net GHG pollution in 2030."

"Transit agencies across the country are greening their fleets, hardening critical infrastructure, and transitioning their workforces to reduce the disproportionate impacts of a warming climate on their communities," said then-FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez in 2022. "We know that transportation is responsible for more greenhouse gases than any other industry. Transit is one of the keys to changing that, addressing the climate crisis by taking cars off the road and electrifying vehicles nationwide. Through the Climate Challenge, FTA is working to make transit even greener."

Two awardees, both Association members, hailed from California. The FTA honored Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA METRO) as "Most Ambitious" for setting "a goal that exceeded the President's goals of a 50 percent reduction in GHG emissions." FTA recognized Lancaster's Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) as "Most Accomplished" for meeting "its 100 percent electric fleet goal, the first agency to achieve this feat in North America" and elevated AVTA's success in its nationwide press release, noting that it saved "$2.3 million after converting its bus fleet to all electric, largely thanks to saving 1,750,000 gallons of diesel fuel."

This year, the FTA once again recognized agencies across the country for their successful efforts to address climate change under the Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge. From California, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) was honored for its work analyzing emissions forecasts and vulnerability assessments, which led the agency to 33 greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies and 14 climate adaptation measures.

"Transit agencies nationwide are using innovative and collaborative approaches to greening their fleets, upgrading infrastructure, and transitioning their workforces to maximize climate resilience for our communities," FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. "While transit is the most sustainable mode of travel, we still have an opportunity to lessen our climate footprint and improve the health and well-being of our communities."

A Fare-Free Day to Encourage Repeat Riders

Across California, transit agencies offer free rides systemwide or to specific events for Earth Day.

"The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) will once again offer free rides on Earth Day to celebrate the positive benefits of public transit to the environment. A multi-channel campaign will build on past successful campaigns to reach audiences across Orange County to encourage everyone to ride the bus on Earth Day and beyond," said Adam Raley, Strategic Communications Officer of OCTA of their 2024 strategy. "OCTA will also highlight its commitment to a 100% zero-emission fleet and other initiatives that benefit the environment."

And agencies go beyond providing free rides to celebrate; they offer the fare-free day to help encourage new or irregular riders to step away from their existing transportation routines and give transit a chance.

"Earth Day is a great opportunity for Angelenos to get out of their cars to try Metro's expansive transit system and reduce their carbon footprint," said Glendale City Council Member and Metro Board Chair Ara J. Najarian for 2023's event. "We are doing our part to help cut greenhouse gasses and improve air quality by operating only the cleanest transit vehicles. This is your chance to ride transit for free and become part of the solution."

Many other Association members offered free rides in 2024 and have done so for past Earth Days, including Santa Rosa CityBus, Petaluma Transit, Sonoma County Transit, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), and more.

Visibility in the Community at Earth Day Events

Some agencies partner with local organizations at special Earth Day themed events to highlight the benefits of regional transit to attendees.

"Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) partnered with the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) on their Sacramento Earth Day 2024 event held on Sunday, April 21. We will be staffing a booth to share how to "go green" and help reduce GHG by taking transit. Attendees will be able to ride free to and from the event with one of our free ride flyers," said Devra Selenis, Vice President of Communications and Partnerships at SacRT prior to the event.

OCTA similarly promoted their local transit options at community events to expand ridership to the next generation: "Staff will attend Earth Week events at Fullerton College and Santiago Canyon College to connect with students and provide information on the College Pass program and the environmental benefits of public transit," said Raley.

Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) participated in the annual City of Santa Cruz Earth Day event and through a press release invited attendees to check out their one-of-a-kind electric buses: "Please feel free to stop by our booth or take a tour of one of our electric buses wrapped with images from the Monterey Bay to learn more about the environmental benefits of public transit."

On years when Earth Day falls on a weekday (including 2024), many Earth Day community events are scheduled on the weekend before or after; as a result, agencies provide free transit to and from these events the day before in addition to all-day free rides on Earth Day.

In 2023, San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) offered free, frequent shuttle service to Stockton's weekend Earth Day Festival using electric buses. In its online promotional materials, the agency offered a targeted message on reducing emissions locally: "If 1,000 people gave up their cars and rode RTD on Earth Day, they would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23,472 pounds. That's the equivalent of the carbon removed by a 12-acre forest, which is the size of 10 football fields!"

This year, AVTA partnered with the City of Lancaster to offer free rides to the California Poppy Festival on April 19, a signature event that draws visitors from well outside the region and would otherwise include a significant parking cost for attendees who drive.

In addition to offering free rides throughout its service area in 2023, VTA highlighted additional environmental celebrations that community members taking advantage of the fare-free day might wish to attend, including a trail clean-up, a festival, and an Earth Day/Arbor Day combination event.

Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) participated in a local Earth Day event both by providing a fare-free day and an in-kind donation, ensuring that the agency's signage and logos were featured on event materials.

Digital Toolkits to Promote Transit on Earth Day

It seems like nearly every person or entity with a social media account acknowledges Earth Day, but many transit agencies leverage their online presence on this special day with unique campaigns.

In 2023, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) invited social media followers to take a special Earth Day Quiz to learn about the agency's environmental record with some seriously surprising questions (Sample: "What type of bird helps mitigate the pigeon population at El Cerrito del Norte station?")

BART also created sharable Earth Day-related content. The agency created a one-minute video of their riders learning how much carbon dioxide they saved by taking BART on specific trips. BART further created a repostable Sustainability Map to outline "some of the environmentally friendly features of our system as well as some of our favorite local flora and fauna" and recommended to "[screenshot] it, print it out, share it with your friends, and let it be a reminder of the interconnected ecosystems around our fair region."

Every Day is Earth Day on Public Transit

"Using public transit is the best way to reduce your personal greenhouse gas emissions and help preserve our planet for future generations," said LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins in recognition of Earth Day.

Association members and their riders lead the way to curb climate change and preserving the planet all year long.

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