From Pedals to Petals, a Greener Journey Starts Here
ALBUQUERQUE – In celebration of Earth Day, 4th graders from Lew Wallace Elementary joined ABQ RIDE to plant flowers and learn about the importance of public transportation for our community and environment.
“Getting kids involved with public transportation early on helps them see the benefits and understand how riding the bus helps take care of the environment,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Even something as simple as their first ride on an electric bus can leave a lasting impression and encourage them to use public transit as they grow up.”
The Earth Day Planting Celebration kicked to a start with 18 students taking an electric bus ride to the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown. Students then heard from Office of Sustainability team members on how flowers, buses, and Earth Day tie together. Smiles on and goodie bags stuffed with planting tools, students planted flowers alongside City staff while learning about how taking the bus is a highly efficient means of public transportation that is beneficial for the environment by saving gas, lowering emissions, and more.
“This Earth Day field trip is a powerful opportunity for our students to connect classroom learning with the real-world importance of sustainability. At Lew Wallace, we strive to help our children understand the role they play in protecting our planet — and experiences like this make those lessons tangible. Riding an electric bus not only exposes our students to clean, forward-thinking transportation, but also shows them how public transit can be a tool for positive environmental change,” said Lew Wallace Elementary Principal Melanie A. Telles. “We want them to see that building a more sustainable future starts with everyday choices, and that they have a place in shaping that future.”
“It was great to see students both dig into the dirt to plant beautiful flowers and dig into these important topics,” said Transit Deputy Director Bobby Sisneros. “We thank Mr. Chacon’s 4th graders for beautifying our downtown facility for riders and staff to enjoy and for planting flowers that are not only colorful and inviting, but that are also climate ready and support our air quality.”
“Earth Day provides an opportunity to teach students about our local ecology and impacts on our climate and environment,” said Sustainable Transportation Specialist Albert Lee. “Public transit helps to reduce local air emissions, climate pollution, and the negative health impacts from vehicles. Meanwhile, plants and flowers help to improve local habitats and reduce the environmental and climate impacts that are already impacting our City, such as extreme heat.”
ABQ RIDE’s Sustainability Measures:
- Goal to achieve zero emissions by 2050 in part of the Zero Emission Transition Plan through fleet electrification or implementing technologies such as onboarding hydrogen buses
- Currently running five electric buses with the goal of adding 12 zero emission vehicles in the next two years
- In the late 1990’s ABQ RIDE proactively onboarded low emissions buses
- Over 80% of the 163-bus fleet runs on alternative fuel such as compressed natural gas and diesel hybrids, which are cleaner burning and reduce emissions
- Environmentally, taking the bus means less cars on the road, less wear-and-tear on roads, reduces land use needs for vehicle parking, and promotes alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking, carpooling, etc.
Lower your carbon footprint by taking the bus today. Navigate by using the Transit app, Google Maps, or visit our Routes & Schedules web page today on ABQRIDE.com to get started.
A special thanks to City of Albuquerque's Departments of Solid Waste and Parks and Recreation, along with ABQ RIDE staff for supporting today's event.
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ABQ RIDE’s mission is to provide the community with safe, clean, and reliable transportation.