LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Metro and Metrolink are marking Earth Day by offering free rides today.
Metro is offering free rides on its trains and buses and free access to its bike share system from 3 a.m. Friday through 2:59 a.m. Saturday. Bus fare boxes will be deactivated and all train station fare gates will be open.
The transit agency serving Los Angeles County is encouraging people to take advantage of its public transportation system to reduce vehicles on the road and, in turn, greenhouse gases.
All of Metro's trains operate on electric power, and the G (Orange) bus line runs on electric, zero-emission buses. The J (Silver) Line is in the process of being converted to an all-electric fleet, and Metro aims to switch all of its bus lines to use only zero-emission buses by 2030. Currently, most of Metro's buses run on compressed natural gas.
Metrolink will also provide free rides all day on Earth Day. It serves Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Northern San Diego counties.
``Taking the train for free this Earth Day is a win for both riders and the environment,'' Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said. ``With free rides and a new expanded schedule to get everyone where they want to go, we hope people will make a little change in their travel routine to have a larger impact for air quality in Southern California.''
In proclaiming Friday as Earth Day, President Joe Biden encouraged ``all Americans to participate in programs and activities that will deepen their understanding of environmental protection, the urgency of climate change, and the need to create a healthier, safer, more equitable future for all people.''