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Non-profits Save with Truck Sharing

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by Xavier Guillaume Fleet Manager Buffalo CarShare on April 09, 2012 ( What's New )
Non-profits Save with Truck Sharing
Millions of American are saving money by taking public transportation, but non-profits have taken it one step further by sharing a truck through Truck Sharing.
For those unfamiliar with Truck Sharing, it's a program through Buffalo CarShare that allows a person or organization to sign up as a member and then use the truck for just $6.50 per hour for individuals and $5 an hour for non-profits.  Besides the truck, members can also use any of Buffalo CarShare's many fuel-efficient cars for just $5 an hour.
This program differs from traditional truck rentals because the truck can be used by the hour, no security deposit is needed, and gas and insurance are included.
Non-profits also receive the special privilege of
Free membership
Use of the truck for a discounted $5 an hour
The ability to be invoiced so they don't have to pay up-front
No need of reimbursing employees and volunteers for gas as gas is included
Currently, 20 non-profits in Buffalo save non-profit monies by not having to purchase a truck and they also have reduce the negative environmental impact of private vehicle ownership.
Here are some Buffalo non-profits that use Truck Sharing:
Green Options Buffalo, an advocacy group promoting healthy, environmentally sustainable, community friendly transportation, uses Truck Share to transport bicycles for its community bicycle workshop program.
Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo, a program that works to revitalize and beautify neighborhoods with community gardens, uses Truck Share to transport things such as trees and soil.
Massachusetts Avenue Project, an organization that helps provide fresh, healthy food to youths and families of all incomes by transforming vacant lots into urban farm spaces, uses Truck Share to transport gardening supplies and compost.
Fundraiser
The truck used for Truck Sharing needed $1,000 worth of repair work in March. To help with costs, Buffalo CarShare is asking for donations..
Allow Buffalo CarShare's over 450 member to continue to use the truck
Keep membership free for non-profits
Keep the reduced hourly rate of $5 per hour for non-profits
Since the start of this fundraiser, Buffalo CarShare has already raised $170.  With special thanks to Heart of the City Neighborhoods for the largest donation of $40.
If you'd like to donate to the 'Wolf' Truck you can by calling Buffalo CarShare at 716-898-0850 or through the secure Paypal site at http://www.buffalocarshare.org/donate.
In this article in the Earth Week series, Xavier Guillaume shares how Buffalo CarShare's Truck Sharing program benefits local non-profits and the environment.

truck_share_littleMillions of American are saving money by taking public transportation, but non-profits have taken it one step further by sharing a truck through Truck Sharing.

For those unfamiliar with Truck Sharing, it's a program through Buffalo CarShare that allows a person or organization to sign up as a member and then use the truck for just $6.50 per hour for individuals and $5 an hour for non-profits.  Besides the truck, members can also use any of Buffalo CarShare's many fuel-efficient cars for just $5 an hour.

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Expanding Regional Transit

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by Gladys Gifford, Citizens for Regional Transit on April 09, 2012 ( What's New )

OPINION / COMMENTARY

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Photo Credit: Ryan McValy on Getty Images
In this Earth Week article, Gladys Gifford of Citizens for Regional Transit shares their current efforts to expand regional transit and light rail, and offers some alternative suggestions to driving alone.

Are you concerned about access to work and schools for your children and grandchildren?  Are you worried about getting around when you become too old to drive?  Are you ready to trade in the long commute for a pleasant hassle-free ride to work?

If you said yes to any of those questions, then you are ready for alternatives to driving alone.

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Buses & Public Transit: Low Emissions Travel

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by C. Douglas Hartmayer, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority on April 09, 2012 ( What's New )
nfta
Photo Credit: Ed Buffalo on Facebook
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority will celebrate Earth Week from April 16 – 22, by promoting the use of its public transit system.
Mass transit in general is an advantage to any community.  Every full Metro bus takes 60 cars off of the road; every rail car means 150 fewer cars.  That means reduced traffic congestion and a lower carbon footprint by helping to reduce pollution in the air.  Reducing the number of cars on the road also decreases the amount a community needs to spend on highways and road repair.
NFTA-Metro currently has 84 hybrid buses within its fleet of 307 40-foot buses and 14 more are expected next year.  These buses use a combination of traditional diesel engines and electric motors.  Metro’s hybrid buses consume less fuel and emit fewer pollutants into the environment and are 30 percent more efficient than traditional diesel buses.
Metro also operates the light rail system, which runs along Main Street from the University at Buffalo’s south campus to the waterfront, traveling through the heart of downtown Buffalo.  This system is the most environmentally efficient form of public transportation and handles an estimated 23,000 riders each workday.  The rail system is electrically powered and therefore leaves no harmful carbon emissions.
Recently the NFTA accepted its first two rebuilt rail cars that each received $1.5 million in enhancements, which are the first rebuilt models of the 27 operated by the NFTA.  These rebuilt cars are part of an authority-wide cost benefit initiative.  During the next three years, all 27 Metro rail cars will be completely rebuilt.  When the project is completed by late 2015, all of the brown-and-orange Metro Rail cars will have the sleek, more modern silver-and-blue design.  Further, the revamped cars feature a number of new amenities including a number of energy efficient options.
In addition to the use of hybrid vehicles and the light rail system, Metro also encourages the use of park and ride lots.  Currently there are 19 Metro park and ride locations scattered throughout the Western New York area.  Passengers can park their cars for free at a convenient location and take Metro bus or rail to their destination.  By using park and rides, individuals save money, help reduce congestion and the need for additional parking in busy commercial and industrial areas.
As part of its continuing mission to provide a safe, energy efficient and environmentally friendly transit system, NFTA-Metro also provides transit users with a carbon savings calculator online at nfta.com.  The calculator demonstrates the impact a user will have on the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, making it easy to see how each of us can make a difference in the environment by using public transit.
According to the American Public Transportation Association, if a solo commuter were to switch their commute from a private vehicle to using public transit, they alone can reduce CO2 emissions by 20 pounds per day, which exceeds more than 4,800 pounds per year.
Earth Day is a day that Western New York residents can ban together to promote the use of public transit and help promote a cleaner, more eco-friendly environment.  Hopefully it will become a habit, a good habit!
In this next article in our Earth Week series, C. Douglas Hartmayer of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) talks about their fleet, as well as features and enhancements to our public transit system.

Mass transit in general is an advantage to any community.  Every full Metro bus takes 60 cars off of the road; every rail car means 150 fewer cars.  That means reduced traffic congestion and a lower carbon footprint by helping to reduce pollution in the air.  Reducing the number of cars on the road also decreases the amount a community needs to spend on highways and road repair.

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Fredonia Is Biking!

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by Lauren Piche, Campus Climate Challenge on April 08, 2012 ( What's New )

fredonia_bike_lab_little

In this next Earth Week article, Lauren Piche of SUNY Fredonia Campus Climate Challenge, introduces their somewhat new Bike Lab and fills us in on some early successes and upcoming opportunities.

Spring has sprung and the streets of Fredonia are bursting with bicyclists catching the scent of freshly mowed grass on their daily ride to school.

This riding season, new waves of cyclists are hitting the streets thanks to SUNY Fredonia’s Bike Lab.  The Bike Lab came into operation this fall after a student group at SUNY Fredonia won a grant from the Community Foundation for a Greater Buffalo.  Since then, a fleet of 15 used bicycles have been restored and are now being offered to the campus and community as a preferred mode of transportation.

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Complete Streets Are Better for Everyone

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by  Susan Miller, Healthy Kids Healthy Communities Buffalo on April 08, 2012 ( What's New )

bike_lane_little_2In this next part of our Earth Week series, we explore biking, carpooling, car sharing, and public transit in "Transportation - Advancing alternatives to driving alone."  In this article, Susan Miller of Healthy Kids Healthy Communities Buffalo, encourages everyone to come to the free and open Complete Streets Summit Public Forum on Thursday, April 19.

According to the Complete Streets Coalition website, “Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind, including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities."

The Buffalo Complete Streets Summit Public Forum will be held TODAY at Ashbury Hall, April 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

Buffalo, Erie County and New York State have all recently adopted Complete Streets policies.  The City of Buffalo is in the process of overhauling its land use plan and 60 year-old zoning ordinance.  It is a pivotal time for Buffalo, and a great opportunity to move towards improving our roadways and the fabric of our communities for all users.

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