(Kansas City, Mo. – May 29, 2012) Beginning June 1, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) will again offer reduced fares on The Metro when an Ozone Alert! is predicted. That low fare of 75¢ will also be available on Johnson County Transit’s The JO and on Unified Government Transit routes.
By riding the bus instead of driving their own vehicles, commuters can help reduce auto emissions that pollute the air. Emissions are a major contributor to ground-level ozone in Kansas City, which is created when pollution from cars and other sources react in sunlight. Heat and sunlight combine to make ozone pollution a frequent problem during the summer months.
“Whether people ride The Metro all summer, or just on Ozone Alert! days, driving less helps all Kansas Citians breathe easier,” KCATA Director of Marketing Cindy Baker said. “Not to metion cut down on fuel costs.”
Ozone’s harmful effects can include eye, nose and throat irritation; chest pain; coughing; nausea and headaches. Ozone can also trigger asthma attacks, permanently damaging a person’s lungs. Many people are sensitive to ozone, especially while being active outdoors. Children, senior citizens, those working or playing outdoors, and people with respiratory disease are at a higher risk from ozone exposure.
Ozone Alerts! in Kansas City are as certain as the summer heat. People can be ready to use the reduced fare by planning their trips now. Customers can plan their trip using Google Transit’s trip planner at www.google.com/transit. To learn how to ride The Metro, check out our How-To-Ride video series at http://www.kcata.org/rider_guide/how_to_ride_the_metro_videos/. The Regional Call Center offers route and schedule information for all three bus services at (816) 221-0660. The center is open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.
The ozone forecast is available at (913) 383-7557 and www.marc.org, local weather forecasts feature a color-coded SkyCast, with alerts being declared for Red and Orange days.