For Immediate Release
May. 29, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
Free Bus Rides, Anti-Idling Blitz Set For Clean Air Day
On Clean Air Day, Wednesday, June 3, the City is issuing two challenges to drivers:
- Try commuting to work by bus, by bicycle, or by foot. Everyone rides Kingston Transit for free all day on Clean Air Day. And Cycling Week is June 1 to 7 (see www.cyclekingston.ca).
- Eliminate unnecessary idling.
Clean Air Day encourages Kingstonians to choose transit or active forms of transportation to cut down on car-generated smog - and to make other environmentally-friendly choices to spare the air.
Kingston Transit has made schedule and route improvements over the past two years. If you see buses on your way to work, you can take the bus to get to work. Drivers who have not tried the bus for a while need to hop aboard to see how convenient it is to become a green commuter.
Kingstonians who travel by bus prevent the further emission of six major air pollutants that come from cars and light trucks. For bus routes and schedules go to www.cityofkingston.ca/transit.
Those who choose to drive on Clean Air Day should take note: City Bylaw Enforcement Officers - some of them on bicycles - will be conducting an anti-idling blitz. With a few exceptions, it is illegal to idle a vehicle for more than three minutes anywhere in Kingston.
"Our message is 'Idling gets you nowhere,'" says Greg McLean, Supervisor, Bylaw Enforcement. "On Clean Air Day, some officers will be specifically dedicated to monitoring vehicles for evidence of unnecessary idling." The fine for excessive idling is $25.
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Media contact information:
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, 613-546-4291, ext. 3116, or 613-329-3462. Or call the City of Kingston's media hotline at 613-546-4291, ext. 2300.
