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Passenger Rail3/26/2012
Rail News: Passenger Rail
Puget Sound transit agencies receive 'gold' sustainability standard

The
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has awarded
Sound Transit and Intercity Transit the first “Gold” status level for their commitments to sustainability.
The APTA Sustainability Commitment award recognizes organizations in the public transportation industry for their efforts to preserve the environment, reduce waste, model “social responsibility” and help improve economic vitality in their service regions, Sound Transit officials said in a prepared statement. APTA’s award recognizes four levels of sustainability, with Gold being the highest.
The systems are on a short list of U.S. transit agencies that are practicing or pursuing environmental management system certification under standard 14001 of the International Organization for Standardization sponsored by the
Federal Transit Administration.
“Sustainability is a major priority in everything we do,” said Sound Transit Chief Executive Officer Joni Earl. “It extends to more than offering fast and convenient services that take cars off the road. This recognition by APTA reflects other efforts that span everything from reducing emissions from our vehicles to incorporating sustainability into our project blueprints to using less paper around the office.”