19% Less Emissions? That's Something to Celebrate.

Improvements like new, more fuel-efficient buses are reducing the impact of transportation on the environment in a big way.

Here at the SFMTA, a big part of our job is to make sure transportation in San Francisco is sustainable for the future. We're proud to announce that our efforts to reduce the impact of transportation on the environment and ensure economic and social sustainability recently received a major recognition. 

The American Public Transportation Association’s Platinum-level Sustainability Certification is among the highest awards honoring public transportation agencies for sustainability. And we're one of just four agencies in the country to receive it.

We received the top-level certification based on achievements including energy-use reductions, water conservation, waste reduction and low-emission fleets. The award also highlights our transportation sector improvements, livable streets accomplishments and progress toward encouraging more people to choose transit, bicycles and walking.

A few fun facts on how we're making a difference:

• Since 2010, we've reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent, water use by 24 percent and fuel use by 7 percent
• We've committed to converting to all-renewable fuel by the end of 2015
• This year we expanded our Free Muni program to provide free transit to more San Franciscans in need

APTA announced the award during the Sustainability Commitment group meeting at the association’s annual meeting in San Francisco in October. Formal presentation of the award will take place at the APTA Sustainability & Public Transportation Workshop in August 2016.