Go directly to our accessible website. Home Contact Metro Bus Metro Rail Metro Access Metro Rideshare
Capital Metro Riding Capital Metro News and Information Jobs Business Center AllSystemsGo
Metro Bus Metro Rail Metro Access Metro Rideshare Trip Planner Schedules and Maps Detours and Busstop Closures Explore Austin Fares How to Ride Commute Options Purchase Tickets On-Line Accessible Services
Newsroom About Capital Metro Public Meetings Projects and Publications Metro Blog
Working at Capital Metro Current Openings
Doing Business with Capital Metro Vendor Registration Procurement Opportunities Procurement Staff Disadvantage Business Enterprise Transit Advertising Program
Metro Rail Metro Rapid

It's Ozone Season

Ozone Action Day Image.

What have you done lately to help keep our air healthy? If you are a bus rider, you make a contribution every time you ride. Studies have shown that:

"For every passenger mile traveled, public transportation produces only a fraction of the harmful pollution of private vehicles: only 5 percent as much carbon monoxide, less than 8 percent as many volatile organic compounds, and nearly half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. " (1)

The largest source of ozone pollution in the Austin metropolitan area is motor vehicles. The Austin metropolitan area is very close to being designated a non-attainment area by the EPA. As part of the Early Action Compact with the federal government, mandatory vehicle emissions testing will begin September 1 for all motor vehicles registered in Travis and Williamson Counties.
When a high ozone day is predicted in the Austin area, an Ozone Advisory for the next day will be issued to the media who will notify the public that the weather conditions are conducive to the formation of high levels of smog. On Ozone Action Days, everyone will be asked to take certain measures to reduce emissions. These voluntary actions will help prevent unhealthy levels of ozone in the Austin metropolitan area.

WHAT CAN I DO?

  • Ride the bus. Capital Metro provides free rides on all its buses on Ozone Action Days.
  • Limit your driving. Avoid non-essential trips. For short trips consider riding your bicycle or walking. Other options include carpooling, vanpooling, working at home, faxing, teleconferencing.
  • Minimize cold starts by combining trips. Most vehicle emissions occur when the engine is cold.
  • Avoid traffic congestion. Drive during "off peak" hours.
  • Don't idle your engine. Avoid lines at drive-through windows.
  • Delay buying gasoline until the evening when it's cooler. Avoid spilling gasoline and don't top off the tank.
  • Don't mow your lawn or use gas-powered lawn equipment until after 5:00 p.m.

Is today an Ozone Action Day?
CHECK HERE

¹Robert J. Shapiro ,Kevin A. Hassett and Frank S. Arnold, July 2002; "Conserving Energy and Preserving the Environment" http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/shapiro.cfm>


line seperatorCapital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200