Green Ideas

Green Ideas from 70,000 Transit Experts

Upon the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Sustainability and the MTA, a "Green Ideas" questionnaire was sent to the MTA's 70,000-member workforce in February 2008. The questionnaire - signed by the Commission Chairman Jonathan F.P. Rose, the MTA agency presidents, and the former MTA Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Elliot G. Sander - requested ideas on how to make the MTA more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

As the ideas poured in, it became clear that the vision to make the MTA very sustainable in all its practices is shared by a large number of its employees. To date over 350 ideas have been submitted, a have been categorized under the five key areas of sustainability identified by the commission: Energy & Carbon, Water, Material Flow, Facilities, and Smart Growth/Transit-Oriented Development.

Green Ideas from MTA Employees

Patricia McDonnell-Riggio

All MTA agencies should use hot/cold water coolers that filter tap water instead of purchasing drinking water, where feasible. This would result in cost, storage and transportation savings plus added carbon emissions reductions for the MTA.

- Patricia McDonnell-Riggio , Long Island Bus

What's Your Green Idea?

The MTA continues to welcome input on its sustainability initiatives and on how to make the MTA more sustainable. Please send your Green Ideas and other sustainable suggestions electronically to the MTA via our email system or by mail to "The Blue Ribbon Commission on Sustainability and the MTA" at 347 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

For additional information, please contact:

Projjal Dutta
MTA Director of Sustainability
PDutta@MTAHQ.Org
212-878-1065

Dana Coyle
Research Analyst, Sustainability Initiatives
dcoyle@mtahq.org
212-878-4725