New York City is one of the most populous cities in the U.S. — where eight million people live in close proximity to each other — meaning sharing space is a big issue. And this is most apparent in the air that residents breathe. Toxic fumes are spewed out by road vehicles like buses, taxis, and cars every day. Luckily, unlike most sprawled-out, freeway-taken-over American cities — hello, L.A. — New York is compact enough and has a good public transportation system that is a faster, more economical, and overall better choice than owning and driving a car. And for those who take taxis around the city, environmental controls like stricter emissions standards and alternative fuel taxis help control air pollution as well.

In recent years, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which oversees New York’s public transportation, has actively regulated the system by buying and using hybrid buses.

According to the 2005 MTA report, more than 200 hybrid-electric buses are in service and 216 more were to be introduced in 2006-7. With annual bus ridership at about 740 million, the use of hybrid buses makes a noticeable impact. The hybrid buses use a combination of clean-burning diesel fuel and electric battery power, therefore using less gas and leading to less pollution, which equals overall better air quality. Hybrid buses are being introduced to every borough in the city, so taking the bus is becoming a good way of reducing your contribution to air pollution.

The MTA also environmentally upgraded recently merged private bus companies’ fleets. This included replacing older buses with hybrids, using clean-burning, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, and taking buses out of service that did not conform to strict fluid-consumption rules.

In addition to the hybrid buses, New York City taxis must be clean as well. At the start of 2005, a new emissions test called OBD II became a requirement for all licensed taxi vehicles. The test regulates emissions more closely, making it difficult for taxicabs to skirt around. In 2006, the auction for taxi medallions (licenses needed to legally run a cab) required that a large percentage would go to alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles. The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) already has a growing list of approved “green” vehicles legal for use as taxicabs.

The growing commitment that New York City has toward environmentally friendly transportation helps clean the air and create a healthier and more livable city. New York City is a leader in environmental change, and hopefully other cities and states will be inspired by the example and follow suit.

For more on the toxic gases spewed into the air, please read a recent ever green post about the danger of non-odorous gas.

keeping the earth ever green

Lisa Tae-Ran Schroeder