Trolley Partners with Holy Nativity for May Clean Air Month
Students create artwork that portrays environmental benefits of the trolley
May 20, 2008
Panama City, Fla. – To celebrate Florida’s Clean Air Month initiative, Bay Town Trolley has teamed up with the Holy Nativity Episcopal School for an art contest focusing on the environmental benefits of riding the trolley. The contest kicked off this week, and is being administered in the 6th-8th -grade classrooms.
Educating these students about clean air month and the importance of utilizing alternatives, such as the trolley, at this age is vital. According to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), public transportation is the number one answer to cleaner air in the state. One “trolleyload” of passengers could take up to 40 vehicles off the road, preventing thousands of pollutants from entering the air.
“Public transportation is a very important part as to how communities can continue to grow smarter,” said Vivian Young, communications director of 1000 Friends of Florida. “Part of the way you do that is by protecting the quality of our natural resources, which includes our air and I believe that public transportation is an answer for that.”
Statistics also show that on average, one person taking public transit to work instead of driving eliminates over 3,000 pounds of exhaust and pollutants every year. Along with public transportation, DEP also recommends a carpooling network. These networks, such as Ride On! Commuter Services, help to decrease the amount of emissions in the air from personal vehicles.
“Bay County residents are really beginning to appreciate the economic and environmental benefits of the trolley,” said Beth Coulliette, Bay Town Trolley’s executive director. ”We are thrilled to partner with Holy Nativity to help educate our youth about the importance of environmental conservation.”
Local notables will judge the students’ artwork and the winner will be declared May 24, 2008 at the Panama City Mall, where all the artwork will be on display. The judging panel consists of Panama City mayor, Scott Clemons, Panama City News Herald editor, Ryan Burr, Holy Nativity’s principal, Judy Hughes and Bay Town Trolley’s executive director, Beth Coulliette. The winning artwork will be displayed on the trolley and in the upcoming issue of the Trolley Talk biannual newsletter.
Bay Town Trolley is an award-winning transit system that serves the growing needs of Bay County, Monday through Friday, with hundreds of stops daily. For more information about Trolley routes and service call (850) 769-0557 or visit www.BayTownTrolley.org. Bay Town Trolleys are equipped with bicycle racks and wheelchair lifts.
