Magazine serving the bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904
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duce emissions. Since then, Metro Transit added about 132 hybrid-electric buses to its feet. Te buses are the only type of vehicle the agency operates out of the Nicollet Mall station, which added another green aspect to the event setting. Te transit system also saved energy by specifying energy-efcient materials when buying buses and reducing idling time. Making capital investments at its six bus facilities also made them more energy efficient. Measures included adding high-speed garage doors, more efcient lighting, and automated heating and cooling equipment. In the first three quarters of 2012, Metro Transit conserved an estimated 600,000 gallons of fuel, saving $2.1 million compared to 2007 operations. Compared to 2008, utility costs have been cut in half, saving more than $2 million in 2012. Tese changes were sparked in 2008, when Metro Transit voluntarily underwent an energy audit from Xcel of its fve Photo courtesy Xcel Energy green view The transit system and Xcel Energy also commemorated Earth Day at a customer appreciation event at Xcel's headquarters, which is located near Metro Transit's busiest light rail station. Attendees were able to sign up for the Windsource program. bus garages and overhaul facility. Another green tradition of Metro Transit's is its Annual Commuter Challenge program, which asks riders to pledge to replace at least one drive-alone trip and instead travel by bus, train, bicycle, walking, vanpool or to telecommute. Metro Transit, as well as Te Metropolitan Council, the organization that provides the transit service, were recognized with a Continuous Improvement Award by Gov. Mark Dayton last year for these and other energy- and costsaving initiatives. JUNE 2013 mETRO mAGAZINE > 63