By Jan Kijowski on 5/5/2010 12:00:00 AM

The MTD is committed to operating in a sustainable fashion because sustainable practices make good business and environmental sense. The MTD’s services and operational practices make it a leader in the local sustainability movement.      

The MTD is a participant in the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Sustainability Program. As a signatory organization, the MTD has agreed to make sustainability a part of the organization’s strategic objectives, identified a sustainability champion within the organization, established an outreach program on sustainability, and undertaken a sustainability inventory for the organization. The list of sustainable internal practices is long, and includes use of green cleaning products, education opportunities and formation of “green teams,” use of renewable furnishings, recycling programs for many waste products, and a reduction in energy and water consumption by retrofitting lighting with CFLs and LEDs, fine-tuning HVAC practices to operate more efficiently, and shutting down vehicles more often. The MTD purchased nine hybrid diesel-electric buses in 2009 and more hybrid vans and buses are to be received in the future; vehicle emissions are greatly reduced due to the hybrids and the installation of diesel particulate filters on older buses.      

Capital projects underway to improve sustainability are installation of a geothermal heating/cooling system and a white roof at the operations and administration center, and installation of permeable pavers in the parking area. Two bus simulator training vehicles are being purchased to decrease fuel consumption and emissions. Staff members are investigating the feasibility of solar/wind power to generate energy at Illinois Terminal and the garage facility as well as for bus shelters.      

Using public transportation is one of the many ways that individuals can reduce their carbon footprint while having greater mobility choices. The MTD works closely with community groups advocating for bicyclists and pedestrians to ensure that users of public transportation can make the trip to and from their transit connection conveniently and safely. The MTD is the lead agency in bringing a car share program, Zipcar, to the Champaign-Urbana community, works closely with Champaign County Bikes, and is Chair of the Campus Area Transportation Study (CATS) Education Subcommittee. CATS projects include a Light the Night bike light distribution campaign during which bike light sets are distributed free prior to the initiation of Daylight Saving Time.      

The MTD is a champion of sustainability in two ways: by providing excellent public transportation services whose use can help improve the environmental health of the community and by employing sustainable operational practices. The MTD is leading the way to a sustainable future. Visit our Go Green pages to read more about it.