FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Federal Transit Administration Applauds Agency’s Efforts to Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions

BALTIMORE, MD (April 24, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration proudly announces its selection as one of three honorees for the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Healthy Climate Challenge. This prestigious award recognizes the Maryland Transit Administration’s outstanding commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship in the public transit sector through its Climate Action Plan.

“Being acknowledged by the FTA as a leader in climate action is both an honor and a call to action,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. “It fuels our determination to drive forward sustainable solutions that enhance our transit systems and safeguard our environment for the long term.”

The Maryland Transit Administration’s 2024 Climate Action Plan responds to the FTA's voluntary third phase of the Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Climate Challenge. Its purpose is to assess the agency’s current emissions level, set attainable reduction goals, and develop implementation strategies for agency programs, processes, and projects. The Maryland Transit Administration has been a leader in putting innovative, sustainable and clean technology to work for its riders, including the procurement of clean diesel buses and zero-emission buses.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by the FTA as a Champion of the Challenge,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “This acknowledgement reinforces our unwavering commitment to sustainable transit solutions that positively benefit our communities and the environment.”

Created in June 2021 to help advance President Biden's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals, FTA's Climate Challenge calls on transit agencies to develop strategies to reduce emissions such as converting fleets to electric buses, making facilities more energy efficient and generating power through renewable energy sources.

The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, and operates Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. The goal of the Maryland Transit Administration is to provide safe, efficient, reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on X @mtamaryland.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov

Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov