This Earth Day VTA joins over 100 transit agencies in pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This nation-wide effort is led by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support President Biden’s goal for the U.S. to achieve a 50-52 percent reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution in 2030. 

Transportation is a major source of GHG emissions in the United States. FTA initiated the Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge to encourage transit agencies, like VTA, to take bold actions and investments to reduce GHG emissions. VTA has already set emission targets in its Sustainability Plan and is pursuing a full transition to a zero-emission bus fleet. In fact, a project to install electric charging infrastructure and a microgrid to provide battery storage is already underway at VTA’s Cerone Bus Yard. 

Public transportation plays an important role in reducing a community’s GHG emissions by providing alternative modes of transportation, expanding mobility options, and promoting sustainable development through the integration of land use and transportation planning. But more must be done to address the climate emergency.  

To identify additional ways to minimize contributions to climate change and adapt and build resilience to long-term climate impacts, VTA is launching the development of a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. You can help inform this effort by taking a short community survey. Responses will be collected through June 3.