Free commutes for first Spare the Air day Thursday

By Erica Holt, Bay City News Service

June 21, 2006

Bay Area transit agencies have declared the summer's first Spare the Air Day Thursday and are offering free commutes all day long.

Thursday marks the first Spare the Air Day when all transit agencies, except the Vallejo Ferry, are participating for the entire day, said Mark Ross, vice president of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Advisories are issued when hot and stagnant weather makes air quality unhealthy during the Spare the Air season, which began June 1 and continues through Oct. 13.

Ross said the Bay Area Air Quality Management District predicts Wednesday will be unhealthy because "winds are down, heat is up, it's a weekday and people are driving.

We are asking citizens to join in the effort to keep air pollution below state and federal guidelines,'' Ross said.

Spare the Air was created in 2004 and is a partnership between Bay Area Rapid Transit, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and other agencies.

In addition to riding public transportation, Bay Area residents are asked to postpone using gasoline powered lawn mowers and garden equipment. Other ways to spare the air include refueling the car after sundown and avoiding oil-based paints and spray products such as hair sprays, bug sprays and household solvents.

Vigorous outdoor exercise should be limited to early morning or evening hours when ozone levels decrease, according the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The agencies will also offer free rides again for the next two declared Spare the Air days.

Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

####