Feature will Allow Riders to Calculate Carbon Emissions Avoided by Riding Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road
See Photos of the New Feature Here
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the launch of an Avoided Carbon Calculator, a new feature on TrainTime, the app used by Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North riders to plan trips and purchase tickets, that will allow customers to track how their choice to ride transit fights greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global climate change, based on their trips purchased.
“The TrainTime app is already a fantastic resource for our customers, allowing them to plan trips and purchase tickets all in one place,” said Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi. “Now whether you're a daily commuter or occasional Metro-North rider, you can see firsthand how getting even one car off the road can make for a greener region.”
“Using public transportation reduces emissions” said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free. “And by showing train rides in terms of car miles avoided, we’re making it easy for riders to know how their doing their part.”
This Avoided Carbon Calculator will enable customers to see the impact of their choice to ride commuter railroads instead of driving by calculating the carbon emissions avoided compared to the same trip by car. Commuters and other regular riders will also be able to see a running total of their avoided carbon emissions, conveying the impact a person can have by regularly choosing public transit. For example, a Metro North rider traveling from Peekskill to Grand Central Terminal avoids 64 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and 45 car miles. The calculator factors in the life-cycle emissions associated with Metro-North or LIRR operations and utilizes clearly defined methodology.
MTA services collectively avoid over 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, which explains why the downstate region has the low per-capita carbon emissions. Public transit helps avoid carbon by reducing vehicle miles traveled, reducing congestion on roads, enabling dense land use which allows for walking, biking, and shorter car trips, and reducing the emissions associated with the upstream production and distribution of fuel.
The MTA is committed to reducing carbon emissions from our operations 85% by 2040. Progress to date includes:
- Deploying new zero emission buses as part of the commitment to transition the entire fleet by 2040 as well as beginning the transition of non-revenue vehicles to zero emission alternatives.
- Actively replacing old commuter rail locomotives with new dual-modes that eliminate the use of diesel in electrified rail territory, greatly reducing emissions of greenhouse gases as well as nitrous oxides, particulate matter and carbon monoxide.
- Bringing new renewable energy generation online with a 150-kilowatt solar panel installation on the roof of the new Electric Multiple Unit support shop at Metro North’s Croton Harmon Yard.
- Reducing subway traction power consumption by over 11,000 megawatt-hours per year by installing a remote-controlled system for third rail heaters and evaluating similar technology for rail switch heaters.
- Deploying new, customized battery hybrid locomotives in the subway to replace old all-diesel work locomotives, prioritizing improvements in tunnel air quality for workers and customers
The MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan will continue these climate sustainability efforts, with the procurement of more electric buses, dual-mode and hybrid locomotives; continued electrification of our non-revenue vehicle fleet and state-of-good-repair improvements that simultaneously reduce energy and fossil fuel consumption. The Capital Plan also includes climate resilience programs that reduce the exposure of MTA infrastructure to extreme weather events caused by climate change already underway.
Customers can download the TrainTime app from the Apple Store or Google Play. The app allows customer to:
- Buy and activate your ticket
- Plan trips and see options between up to two origin and two destination stations
- View departure times and transfer details for your trip, including for trips using both LIRR and Metro-North
- Track your train in real time and watch it arrive with GPS data updated every few seconds
- View real-time seat availability and the layout of your train
- Chat live with a customer service representative