Aug 05 10
Clean Up the Air with Public Transportation
One of the largest contributors of air pollution is automobiles. The most significant and harmful pollutants produced by vehicles are hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide and other particulates, all of which are reducing the quality of our air and water and contributing to global climate change. Americans began a love affair with cars with Henry Ford‘s assembly line that mass produced mainstream automobiles for regular citizens. Since then we have seen the emergence of the multi-car household. Now, it is common practice for teenagers to get a car when they get their driver’s license, which is the first step to habitual car use and ownership for the rest of your life. Though this practice has created a sense of luxury and convenience in this country, it has also had extremely detrimental effects on our environment. Now that the consequences of this mass car ownership are starting to be realized, a push towards more sustainable commuting practices is underway.If you live in Tennessee, there are a number of public transportation options to consider. The Music City Star Regional Rail connects Lebanon to Nashville, with numerous stops along the way. If the station isn’t close enough to your final destination, MTA buses are available at Riverfront Station to help you make it the rest of the way. The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority is another mass transit system in Tennessee that provides transportation throughout the city at a low cost. For residents and visitors of Knoxville, the Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is a great way to get around town. Buses, trolleys and paratransit LIFT vehicles help commuters navigate the city.When you use public transportation in your city, you reap the benefits of your personal tax dollars, which are used to fund these transportation systems. You can also enjoy a more relaxed commute by not having to navigate busy streets or traffic-blocking accidents. Grab a book or magazine and relax on your way to work. And most importantly, with every passenger that uses public transportation, individual cars carrying only one or two travelers are off the road, reducing the overall pollution of your city.