Metro celebrates Earth Day with New Contest Kick-off

This year, with a new “Drop It In To Win” contest starting on Earth Day, there are even more reasons to go green with Metro.CINCINNATI – Metro has an ongoing commitment to our community and environment. This year, with a new “Drop It In To Win” contest starting on Earth Day, there are even more reasons to go green with Metro. Green Contest As part of “Drop It In To Win,” Metro riders can submit their used 30-day rolling pass, stored-value card or 1-ride ticket at Metro’s Sales Office Arcade, 120 E. Fourth Street, in Government Square, starting April 21. Five winners will be selected to win a duplicate of whatever they dropped in for each drawing. The first drawing will be held on Earth Day, April 22. The contest drawings will continue on the first weekday of each following month. At the end of the year, Metro will recycle all the remaining cards, so riders save two ways – saving money and the earth. More contest information can be found at http://www.go-metro.com/contest. Green Fleet The contest isn’t Metro’s only environmental effort. With 78 new “mini-hybrid” buses and 27 hybrid buses in its 356-vehicle fleet, Metro is a green transportation alternative. The “mini-hybrid” buses use thermal cooling technology to provide improved fuel economy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Green Earth Day Community Events Metro will be out in the community for Earth-friendly events all month long at the following locations: Earth Jam – April 10, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati Earth Day Celebration – April 19, noon-5 p.m. at Sawyer Point CAI Insurance Earth Day – April 22 at CAI Insurance, 2035 Reading Rd. As part of the Earth Day lecture series, Metro’s Rail Services Manager Paul Grether will present on the Cincinnati streetcar on a Metro hybrid bus Christ Hospital Earth Day – April 23 at Christ Hospital’s Main Campus Green Partnerships In 2012, the Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition selected Metro to receive the Cincinnati Earth Day Celebration’s Environmental Award. That year, Metro also partnered with the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) and Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District with a Recycle and Ride program to reward residents with free Metro passes when they make the green choice of actively recycling. Metro is a member of the local Green Umbrella organization working to improve the economic vitality and quality of life in the region around Cincinnati by maximizing the collective impact of individuals and organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability. Throughout the year, Metro’s Maintenance team provides hybrid technology informational sessions to area high school Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students about how hybrids work. Green Practices Metro uses environmentally friendly practices every day, including: Using rainwater to wash buses Burning waste oil to heat garages Recycling and reusing motor fluids such as antifreeze, refrigerant and power steering fluid “Metro is proud to offer Greater Cincinnati residents a green way to get to work, school and play,” said Metro’s CEO Terry Garcia Crews. “Metro continues to be the environmentally responsible way to travel in Cincinnati.” Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 17 million rides per year in Greater Cincinnati. # # #

View Original Source (go-metro.com) Here.