Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. — The winner of the Ride for the Region Challenge is the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)!
During the first three weeks of April, eight employers, including universities, non-profits, and companies throughout the District, Maryland and Virginia, participated in a public transportation competition to spur transit ridership and cut transportation pollution. Participating organizations included the American Public Transportation Association, American University, Kimley-Horn, Gannett Fleming, George Mason University, George Washington University, RMI, and Sierra Club.
Fifty-two employees took over three hundred trips on regional bus and rail services across the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area. The riders traveled 2,323 miles, saved 92 gallons of fuel, and avoided an estimated 843 kg of carbon dioxide emissions, which equates to the carbon sequestered by nearly 1 acre of US forests in one year.
Congratulations to the American Public Transportation Association and all of the Ride for the Region participants for making this inaugural initiative a huge success.
In response to the announcement, Paul P. Skoutelas, APTA President and CEO said:
"The American Public Transportation Association was excited to participate in the DMV Ride for the Region Challenge during Earth Month. Every ride on public transit takes cars off the road, keeps our cities healthier and creates opportunities for growth in the industry. The weekly celebrations and friendly competition among APTA colleagues added an element of fun to our daily transit commutes. We look forward to taking part in future challenges to promote public transit as a sustainable, safe and accessible mode of transportation in our region."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.