News & Events: Press Releases
April 20, 2009
Trolley Officials Celebrate Increased Ridership And Earth Day
Media Contact: Allison Fogt
850-878-5531 x223
afogt@kidd.com
Residents and tourists boost Bay Town Trolley’s ridership by 45 percent
(Panama City, Fla.) - Trolley officials are pleased to announce a 45 percent increase in base ridership from 2008, excluding rides given on the Career Connector Route. This ridership announcement comes days before the National Earth Day celebration, and at a time when Bay Town Trolley drivers are seeing many residents choosing to hop on board for environmental concerns.
“We celebrate Earth Day because we know a portion of our increased ridership comes from those who choose to ride the trolley, instead of driving their personal vehicle, to lessen their carbon footprint,” said Beth Coulliette, Bay Town Trolley’s executive director. “No matter what their reasons, both residents and tourists have hopped on board in record numbers this year, boosting the trolley’s ridership beyond what it was the entire year in 2003, and that’s amazing.”
By encouraging others to give the trolley a try, Bay Town Trolley officials support Earth Day, which recognizes significant achievements and progress made in protecting the environment. According to the American Public Transportation Association, communities, like Bay County, choosing to invest in public transportation reduce the nation’s CO2 emissions by 37 million metric tons annually, equivalent to emissions from electricity used by 4.9 million households.
“Through our rider testimonial campaign, we’ve already heard from many people who choose the trolley because they’re aware that taking public transportation can be more than 10 times greater in reducing harmful gasses like carbon dioxide,” said Lee Bragg. “I encourage everyone to ‘Get Up and Go’ with the trolley in celebration of Earth Day.”
For more information about Bay Town Trolley’s routes and services visit BayTownTrolley.org, Twitter.com/BayTownTrolley or BayTownTrolley.org/Facebook.
For the past 13 years Bay Town Trolley has provided public transportation services to Bay County with the mission of moving riders of Bay County with clean, safe, efficient and dependable transportation while enhancing the quality of life and meeting the growing needs of the community. The system operates Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. For information on all routes, fares, Ride On Commuter Services and other news and updates log on to www.BayTownTrolley.org.
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