August FY 1999 fixed route ridership was up more than 460,000 boardings over last year's record ridership achieved in August 1998. August 1999 fixed route ridership was up 5.3 percent over last year's record August ridership. The ability to retain new riders is equally important as achieving record ridership attracted to the transit system as a result of a promotion. Trends in average number of passenger trips per weekday, indicate that last year's Clean Air Month half-fares provided a substantial boost to fixed route ridership, while ensuing months also showed significant growth, reaching double digit or near double digit growth in most months. We were able to encourage a significant number of people to get out of their cars and get on a bus during a month when we historically have the greatest number of hazardous ozone exceedance days.
Vehicles are major contributors to ground-level ozone pollution in the Houston area.
Consequently, when individuals get on a bus, they are making a choice that will help keep the air clean. A bus with 50 passengers emits far less pollution than 50 automobiles. Every commuter who takes a bus instead of driving a passenger car reduces hydrocarbon emissions for that trip by nearly 90 percent and carbon monoxide by 75 percent. The community was informed about Clean Air Month through advertisements, public service announcements, news stories, and public affairs show interviews. Clean Air Month is part of a much larger regional effort, the Clean Air Action Program.