With gas prices now hovering above $4 a gallon, many area residents are turning to alternative modes of transportation for relief from prices at the pump. Mass transit has become an increasingly popular option, and those that are trying it are finding a world of benefits that extend well beyond their pocketbooks.

This spring, Metro topped 5.2 million passenger boardings, signaling that growing numbers of commuters in the St. Louis area are not only enjoying a cheaper, more stress-free commute by choosing to ride the bus and MetroLink, they are also doing their share for cleaner air in the region.

With the St. Louis region settling into the time of year when ozone pollution is typically at its worst, the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership (The Partnership) is reminding residents that utilizing transit reduces traffic congestion in the region, which in turn helps prevent the release of emissions that lead to air pollution.

“Statistics indicate that a solo commuter who switches from a car to public transit reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 4,800 pounds per year, and public transit users drive 4,400 fewer miles per year on average,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director of Environmental Health for the American Lung Association of the Central States. “These are important numbers in terms of our air quality because they demonstrate what a critical role transit use plays in improving the quality of the air we breathe.”

For those who are unable to take transit, carpooling or vanpooling are great commuting options that can ease the sting of prices at the pump and help reduce traffic congestion in the region. But for those who must commute alone, Fuchs notes that there are numerous steps drivers can take to do their share for cleaner air while they are on the road.

“From remembering to accelerate slowly and driving the speed limit, to removing excess weight from the car, avoiding excess idling and keeping their cars well-maintained, there are countless ways drivers can increase their gas mileage, conserve fuel and cut back on the emissions their vehicles release,” said Fuchs.

Presently, numerous companies and organizations throughout the St. Louis area work to provide their employees with incentives designed to encourage them to utilize the bus and MetroLink for the work commute. At Washington University alone, thousands of students and faculty members are currently doing their share for cleaner air by taking advantage of the organization’s transit benefit programs and making personal commitments to use transit for their work and school commutes.