TransLink Wins Gold For Its Sustainability Performance

September 28, 2011

TransLink achieves Gold under the American Public Transportation Association Sustainability Commitment

TransLink has received the highest level of recognition ever awarded to any transportation authority in North America for its leadership and innovation in sustainability. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has just awarded TransLink Gold Level status for its significant achievements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting energy use, emitting fewer pollutants and increasing ridership.

Gold Level puts TransLink at the top of a list of 77 North American signatories to the Sustainability Commitment, which include New York City Transit, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Bombardier Transit Corporation.

“We are honoured to be recognized for our commitment to sustainability by our industry peers,” said CEO, Ian Jarvis. “Being the first – and only – North American transportation agency to achieve this level truly validates our role as a leader in sustainability.”

In 2010, TransLink emitted 4,000 fewer tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2e) and 58 fewer tonnes of Criteria Air Contaminants than in 2009, even with a 10 per cent increase in ridership.
TransLink also curbed energy use in its facilities by 16 per cent (per passenger kilometre) through efficiency measures that included energy retrofits in its bus maintenance facilities and some administrative offices.

TransLink used 1.28 million fewer litres of diesel fuel in 2010 over the previous year. Much of this was due to its “Idle-Free” program at depots and transit exchanges, an effort that was recognized by the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA). Further fuel efficiencies were the result of replacing older diesel buses with hybrid-electric or trolley buses, redeploying diesel buses from urban routes to routes with fewer stops where they achieve better fuel efficiency, and the first full year of service on the new Canada Line, powered by hydro electricity.

“Sustainability is a guiding value for all of us at TransLink,” said CEO, Ian Jarvis. “It is embedded in the decisions we make at the board and leadership level and is factored into our strategies and initiatives. Reaching this level of achievement is a testament to the commitment of people throughout the entire enterprise.”
For more information about TransLink’s commitment to sustainability, including a link to the organization’s Sustainability Report, visit TransLink Sustainability Report. TransLink's Sustainability Webpage

For information about Coast Mountain Bus Company’s “Idle-Free” campaign, and the award it received from the Canadian Urban Transit Association, see our Clean Air Day news release.
TransLink Celebrates Clean Air Day