FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
King County Metro and PCC show members how to serve up 'organic transportation'
Date: Sept. 6, 2006
What do you get when you combine the largest consumer-owned natural food co-operative in the U.S. with one of the greenest public transportation systems? You get a partnership that's poised to fight global warming and pollution at the grass-roots level while tackling congestion at the same time.
That's the challenge King County Metro Transit and PCC Natural Markets are laying down to shoppers at the eight PCC Natural Markets in the area. Their goal is to remind members they actually can make a difference and improve the quality of life in their neighborhood by taking the bus, walking, bicycling, or even sharing a ride. And, if they try these alternatives just twice a week over a ten-week period instead of driving, Metro and PCC are betting they just may discover there's a lot more to green than meets the eye.
"King County couldn't ask for a better inaugural partner than PCC to help Metro launch its new 'Partners in Transit' program," King County Executive Ron Sims said. "This program will allow residents throughout King County to add real down-to-earth meaning to the broader policies and executive orders we are putting in place to reduce the harmful greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Just as consumer demand transformed the production of organic food, we can make a commitment here at home to change a climate."
PCC is also excited about the new partnership.
"We're delighted to partner with King County Metro in this program that encourages commuters and our shoppers to try alternative modes of transportation," said Tracy Wolpert, PCC's CEO. "It aligns with PCC's mission to build community and promote sustainability, and we invite other environmentally responsible retailers to develop their own transit partnerships that would ultimately benefit us all."
Over the next six months, Metro and PCC will encourage members to take the pledge to leave their cars at home and try alternative forms of transportation. If they complete the end of program survey, they'll be rewarded with a $5 PCC gift card. Along the way, Metro will be there to help with advice and trip planning support. PCC members will also receive handy tips and transit information via newsletters, the web and through in-store advertising.
The Partners in Transit Program complements the growing list of actions being taken by Metro to increase ridership while reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. More than half of Metro's buses traveling the streets and highways of King County are now burning a 20 percent mix of biodiesel along with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel. When combined with the agency's fleet of hybrid buses, electric trolleys and the cleanest burning regular diesel available, Metro is fast becoming the greenest transit agency in the nation.
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King County Metro Transit is among the 10 largest bus systems in the nation. Metro buses provide almost 100 million passenger trips a year, and the agency operates one of the largest carpool and park-and-ride programs in the country. It is also recognized as a leader in reducing pollution with its use of clean-burning fuels, electric trolleys, and hybrid buses. Metro customers consistently give the agency high marks for friendly, on-time service.