Durango is taking part in Colorado’s statewide Zero Fare for Better Air initiative in August by offering free bus service in an effort to get excess cars off the road and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Throughout the entire month of August, Durango Transit will offer free bus transportation on each of its routes, according to a news release from the city of Durango. The city partnered with the Colorado Energy Office to make the free rides happen.
The Zero Fare for Better Air initiative is intended to “reduce ground-level ozone by increasing use of transit” services, the news release says.
“Approximately 85% of the greenhouse gas emissions that come from transportation are due to day-to-day commutes,” the release says. “By leaving the car at home, a person can save up to 20 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every day.”
The news release details other benefits to using public transportation services over driving, including cost, time and gas savings, reduction in traffic and improved air quality.
“Taking the bus saves on car expenses including maintenance, parking, and fuel, which add up quickly,” says the release. “A household can save nearly $10,000 by taking public transportation and living with one less car.”
Using public transit services can also help travelers avoid paying for the current high price of gas, the release says. An estimated 6 billion gallons of gas is saved annually through public transit.
Another major benefit is improved air quality.
“Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change,” the release says. “Using public transit creates 84% less carbon emissions than driving a car. That is a savings of 63 million metric tons annually.”
In other Durango Transit news, the city is hosting a citywide online parking survey to determine how to plot its parking master plan.
People who complete the survey will automatically be entered into a drawing to win gift cards to local businesses courtesy of the Durango Business Improvement District and the Durango Chamber of Commerce.
“This survey is going to inform Durango’s parking future and how it will interact with the city’s transportation network,” Wade Moore, parking operations manager said in a news release.
The city is teaming up with Walker Consultants to create its parking master plan, which will guide parking programs and regulations in order to meet the needs of residents and tourists, the release says.
Two public open houses have been scheduled for 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Aug. 4 at Durango Public Library. Residents will be able to provide feedback about parking services as the city takes notes for development of its parking master plan.
Further opportunities for public input will be available as the parking project moves along, including during the final phase of drafting the parking master plan.
“Opportunity will be provided for the community and stakeholders to weigh in on the implementation details of each strategy presented,” the release says.
The parking survey is available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/DurangosParkingFuture.
cburney@durangoherald.com
