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WMATA joins FTA sustainable transit climate challenge

The news comes ahead of Earth Day 2022.

WASHINGTON — WMATA announced that Metro has signed onto the Federal Transit Administration's Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge.

In April 2021, President Biden announced a goal for the nation to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 50% in 2030.

To help accomplish that goal, the FTA launched Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge with the goal of encouraging transit agencies to work on reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. 

Since the challenge launched in June 2021, more than 170 transit agencies across the country joined in on the challenge. 

Metro says it it working toward the challenge through its climate bonds projects, its plan to transition its bus fleet to zero-emissions by 2054, the implementation of its 2025 Energy Action Plan, and its adding more solar carports to its stations.

“Taking public transportation is one of the best ways for people to have the biggest impact on the environment. Whether you take the train or bus, that’s one less vehicle on the road,” Metro General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld said in a statement. “In addition, Metro is using its purchasing power to increase the use of renewable electricity to power our trains and facilities.”

In honor of Earth Week, Metro is encouraging riders to reduce their own carbon footprint. People can use their SmarTrip card with WMATA's website to find their carbon dioxide savings report.

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