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Clean Energy In the NewsDetroit Free Press - 2009-09-22
Michigan news: Millions of gallons of gas saved last year (new window)Increased use of public transit saved 35.6 million gallons of gasoline in Michigan last year, reducing the state's carbon dioxide emissions by about 320,000 tons, according to a study released Tuesday by Environment Michigan, an advocacy group in Ann Arbor.
In
southeast Michigan, the Detroit Department of Transportation saw a
ridership increase of about 10% during that time, the study said.
SMART, the suburban bus system, reported a nearly 15% increase.
"People are voting with their feet, using more public transit and doing less driving," Environment Michigan environmental associate Shelley Vinyard said.
Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United, a Detroit transit advocacy group, said southeast Michigan's transit systems are straining under the increased use as funding declines. |