Green Plan

rabbittransit realizes that good public service is responsible public service, and as a public transit system, we know that we must be socially and environmentally conscious. Not only are green practices better for the environment, they’re better for operations, often leading to improvements in efficiency, supply costs, and reduced waste. Please take a moment and read about the ways we are encouraging citizens through rabbittransit services to practice green living in their daily lives, creating a healthier environment for the entire community.

Vehicular/Maintenance Initiatives

rabbittransit adheres to a standardized, scheduled maintenance program for all vehicles to maintain their energy efficiency, including changing oil, fuel and air filters.
rabbittransit’s drivers practice fuel-saving driving habits.
All new vehicles are fitted with diesel particulate filters for cleaner burning diesel engines
rabbittransit’s bus roofs are painted white to reflect heat.
rabbittransit recycles its used oil in an oil burning furnace.
rabbittransit uses biodegradable detergent in its bus wash.

Paper

rabbittransit’s newest Hop-n-Go Guide is printed on paper which is certified by the Sustainable Forestery Initiative (SFI). While recovered fiber is an attractive choice, it usually only makes up a small percentage of any paper product. An SFI label completes the equation by confirming the rest of the wood fiber is from a responsible source.
rabbittransit distributes email newsletters to the public to replace mailed printed versions.
rabbittransit employees use fast draft printer settings to reduce the amount of ink being used.
rabbittransit utilizes direct deposit to reduce paper paychecks.
rabbittransit employees use note paper recycled from internal printed materials.
rabbittransit uses email to communicate to employees instead of paper flyers and saves data on electronic files when possible.
rabbittransit uses washable dishware for its board meetings and employee lunches instead of paper plates.

Energy

rabbittransit utilizes high efficiency lighting in offices using less energy.
Part of rabbittransit’s office roof is painted white to reflect heat.
rabbittransit employees turn off lights and computers in the evening and over weekends to conserve energy.

Waste

rabbittransit sends its used printer cartridges to be recycled.
rabbittransit began a recycling program within its offices to recycle plastic, glass and paper items.

Green Initiatives In Development

rabbittransit will transition to the use of green cleaning products.
rabbittransit plans to expand its recycling program to include the Transfer Center which will offer areas for recycling for the public.
rabbittransit plans to display signage inside vehicles educating riders about its Eco-Initiative/Green Plan and provide tips for riders to reduce their carbon footprint.
rabbittransit will also be introducing green tips on the back of its new hybrid vehicles.
rabbittransit will implement quarterly check-ins with office personnel to ensure continued participation in its green tactics.
rabbittransit will internally announce green initiatives and accomplishments through company safety newsletter.
rabbittransit will perform an annual audit on green initiatives and set green goals for the following year.

Public Transit Green Facts

Public Transportation reduces greenhouse gasses and conserves energy
1. The “leverage effect” of public transportation reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually – equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. To achieve similar reduction in carbon emissions, every household in New York City, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles combines would have to completely stop using electricity.
Public Transportation Improves Air Quality
1. Public transportation reduces pollution and helps promote cleaner air.
2. Public transportation produces 95 percent less carbon monoxide (CO), 90 percent less in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and about half as much carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx), per passenger mile, as private vehicles. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions represent 82 percent of total US human-made greenhouse emissions.
Public Transportation Reduces Gasoline Consumption
1. Each year, public transportation use in the U.S. saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline. This represents almost 4 million gallons of gasoline per day.
2. The “leverage effect” of public transportation, supporting transportation efficient land use patterns, saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline – more than three times the amount of gasoline refined from the oil we import from Kuwait.
3. Each year, public transportation use saves the equivalent of 34 supertankers of oil, or a supertanker leaving the Middle East every 11 days.
4. Each year, public transportation saves the equivalent of 140,769 service station tanker truck trips clogging our streets each year.
5. Public transportation use saves the equivalent of 300,000 fewer automobile fill-ups every day.
6. The typical public transit rider consumes on average one half of the oil consumed by an automobile rider.
Public Transportation Eases Traffic Congestion
1. According to the most recent Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) report on congestion in 2005, public transportation saved travelers 541 million hours in travel time and 340 million gallons of fuel.
2. Without public transportation, congestion costs would have been an additional $10.2 billion.
Public Transportation Fosters Healthy Lifestyles
1. Public transportation fosters a more active lifestyle, encouraging more people to walk, bike and jog to transit stops. An analysis of 2001 National Household Travel Survey data for transit users finds that walking to and from transit helps inactive persons attain a significant portion of the recommended minimum daily exercise they need.

Get Involved

Tips For Greener Living

Unplug electronic devices.
Lower your thermostat.
Reuse your water bottle.
Buy foods locally.
Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Turn off lights when you leave the room.
Get off junk mail lists.
Use green cleaning products.
Take your batteries to a recycling center.
Do full loads of laundry and set washer cycle to “cold.”
Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.
Recycle your newspapers.
Recycle your technology.
Recycle cans and plastic bottles.
Take canvas bags to stores.
Don’t run the water when brushing your teeth.
Go paperless at work. Distribute company material online.
Choose eco-smart products.
Start a compost.
Use low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets.
Limit the length of your showers.
Wash towels after several uses.
Plant a tree.
Use energy saver appliances.
Pay bills online.
Try carpooling.
Try vanpooling.
Ride a bike.
Ride a bus.
Ride a bus once a week.
Use the bus as a second car.