Sierra Club & ATU, representing more than 2.4 million supporters, team on transit-climate change events for May Transit Month
Washington, DC – With Earth Day around the corner, the Sierra Club and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) announced a new partnership to highlight the key role that public transit use plays in combating climate change and pollution.
ATU and the Sierra Club will also be calling on federal, state, and municipal legislators to address climate change by investing in public transit, including passing a robust federal transportation bill that increases funding for public transit.
Although much progress has been made in increasing vehicle fuel efficiency, automobile transportation is still the second largest source of carbon pollution in the United States. People need more transportation choices, as riding a bus, train or trolley rather than driving a car significantly reduces air pollution and emissions. A single person switching to public transit can cut annual carbon emissions by more than 4,800 pounds. More information about the benefits of public transit can be found at www.transitisgreater.com.
About the ATU
The Amalgamated Transit Union is the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1892, the ATU today is comprised of over 190,000 members in 264 local unions spread across 44 states and nine provinces, including 3,000 workers at Greyhound Lines, Inc. Composed of bus drivers, light rail operators, maintenance and clerical personnel and other transit and municipal employees, the ATU works to promote transit issues and fights for the interests of its hard-working members. For more information visit www.atu.org.