To encourage environmentally friendly transportation options and attract new transit riders, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has approved free rides on the entire Metro Bus and Rail System on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22.

All 170 Metro bus routes and six major rail lines will be free to the public from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Bus fare boxes will be deactivated and all train station fare gates will be opened.

Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti championed the free rides initiative as a way to help reduce the region’s harmful air emissions.

“Our commitment to create a more sustainable future starts with transportation,” Garcetti said. “By making transit free on Earth Day, Angelenos can be part of the journey to clean the air we breathe and keep our planet healthy.”

Studies show that taking transit instead of driving alone, even if occasionally, is an excellent way to reduce an individual’s carbon footprint. It reduces greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gases in California, contributing to 37 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. The greater Los Angeles region has significantly improved air quality but still violates the federal ozone standard at least 100 days per year.

Metro’s entire fleet of 2,438 transit buses run on clean-burning compressed natural gas. The agency has also committed to converting its bus fleet from natural gas to all zero-emission buses by 2030. The 105-mile Metro Rail system already operates on electric power.

“We encourage L.A. County residents to do something nice for our Mother [Earth],” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “Residents can save gas and parking money and ride free on Metro to beaches, museums and other family-friendly destinations. If you enjoy your transit experience, we invite you to try our system to take other adventures during the year as we continue our efforts to make Metro the best transit system in the United States.”

For information, visit metro.net.