Ozone Alert! Issued For Saturday, July 17

The Metro Offers 75¢ Bus Rides

Kansas City, Mo. – July 16, 2010) Tomorrow is an Ozone Alert! The Metro is offering 75¢ bus rides to promote healthy air quality. The 75¢ Ozone Alert! fare is an increase from 50¢ on Ozone Alert! days in 2009.

Motor vehicle emissions are the greatest contributor to ozone pollution in greater Kansas City. By riding the bus instead of driving, people can help reduce the amount of ozone in the air. The Metro offers 75¢ bus rides during all Ozone Alerts! between June 1 and September 30.

Ozone Alerts! are issued when ground-level ozone reaches high levels. These levels are dangerous for people with respiratory problems, as well as for healthy adults and children playing, working and exercising outdoors. Since automobiles produce more than one-third of the emissions associated with ground-level ozone, reducing driving is a good way to help improve air quality.

To plan a commute by bus call the Regional Call Center at (816) 221-0660 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. today. You can also visit http://www.kcata.org to look up routes and schedules or use the Trip Planner.  The ozone forecast is available at (913) 383-7557 and http://www.marc.org; local weather forecasts feature a color-coded SkyCast, with alerts declared for Red and Orange days.