APTA recognizes transit agencies, businesses for sustainability initiatives

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) yesterday honored five transit agencies and two businesses for their sustainability efforts.

The organizations were recognized for continuous improvement in environmental, social and economic sustainability through voluntary participation in APTA's Sustainability Commitment program, APTA officials said in a press release.

Sound Transit earned the platinum level of recognition, the highest level of certification. 

The agency has cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 20 percent, while increasing passenger miles traveled by almost 30 percent. Sound Transit also revised specifications for concrete to allow for performance-based standards that result in mixes with lower embodied energy and greenhouse gas emissions, APTA officials said.

Gold level winners were Metrolinx, Southern California's Foothill Transit and IMPulse NC LLC.

IMPulse NC, a manufacturer of overhead contact system hardware, was the second APTA business member to achieve gold level recognition. The company's products are designed to last nearly 30 years, and are between 90 to 95 percent recyclable at the product's end-of-life, APTA officials said.

Utah Transit Authority, Valley Metro and TRC Companies Inc. received APTA's bronze level recognition.

Valley Metro achieved the recognition in part for installing tinted windows on all of its vehicle felt to reduce cooling load, APTA officials said.

"Sustainability makes good business sense and good environmental sense," said APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Melaniphy in a statement. "Congratulations to these organizations which are models of sustainability excellence. Their leadership in implementing sustainable practices makes their communities better, greener places to live."