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Report: Peninsula's Free Waterfront Trolley Cuts Congestion, Emissions by Moving Two Million Passengers in First 20 Years
Monterey, Calif. (October 22, 2012) – The free Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) waterfront trolley has moved more than two million passengers in its first 20 years, cutting congestion on local streets and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 3.5 million pounds below the level that cars would have produced for those same trips, according to a report prepared by City of Monterey staff.
Using EPA data, MST estimates the cars that have been taken off the road as a result of trolley service have resulted in 70 percent less carbon monoxide, 98 percent less methane, and a 98 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions per mile, as well as decreased amounts of oils and metals washed into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, according to MST General Manager/CEO Carl Sedoryk.
The MST Trolley, which began its life in 1992 as the Waterfront Area Visitor Express (WAVE), is paid for entirely with contributions from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the City of Monterey. Trolley service was extended to Pacific Grove in 2011.
“We’re committed to keeping the waters of Monterey Bay free of pollution, and to minimizing the impacts on our neighbors from our 1.8 million annual visitors as they’re coming to the aquarium,” said Executive Director Julie Packard. “The MST Trolley has been a creative way to address both of these concerns.”
Since 1992, the aquarium has contributed roughly $1.3 million to support the trolley service, which is offered free from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. It also produced an audio tour for the Pacific Grove portion of the route.
The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans.
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