result of removing cars from the road and operating an eco-friendly bus fleet. Metro’s nearly 1,500 buses are fueled by a combination of compressed natural gas, advanced technology diesel, and diesel-electric hybrid buses. By using advanced engines, fuel and exhaust treatments, Metro greatly reduces fleet emissions and fuel consumption. Nationally public transportation saves the U.S. the equivalent of 34 supertankers of oil a year or 900,000 automobile fill-ups every day.
Public transportation offers an immediate alternative for individuals seeking to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint. The benefits gained by taking public transportation far exceeds the combined benefits of using energy-efficient light bulbs, adjusting thermostats, weatherizing one’s home, and replacing a refrigera- tor. According to ATPA, switching to public transportation reduces individual car- bon emissions by 20 pounds per day or 4,800 pounds per year.
Metro’s CNI continues investment in vehicles and technology that protect the environ- ment. In addition, all new and substantially renovated Metro facilities will meet new energy efficient standards such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.
Metro strengthens the national capital area’s security
Metro has the only tri-jurisdictional police force in the United States, operating in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland. Metro’s transit police department (MTPD) consists of 458 sworn officers, security special police and civilian person- nel. The department provides protection for Metro riders, personnel, transit facilities and fare collection operations. MTPD officers have jurisdiction and arrest powers for crimes that occur in or against Metro facilities. Uniformed and plainclothes officers ride Metrobuses and patrol Metrorail trains, stations, and parking lots.
MTPD officers work proactively in the community to reduce crimes within the Metro system. Officers educate riders about how to travel safely and protect their personal belongings from theft. This is done in partnership with two dozen lo- cal, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Officers also work closely with public school administrators and teachers to address student behavior in the Metro system. This includes visits to area schools to talk with students and parents about MTPD efforts and expectations.
MTPD plays a significant role in our region’s security, particularly in the prevention
of threats to the transit system and providing emergency response when needed. Several of MTPD’s prevention strategies are visible including uniformed patrols, cameras in stations and chemical and biological detection devices but many are non-visible activities. MTPD works with the FBI Local and National Joint Terrorism Task Force to ensure transit security information is shared in a timely and efficient manner. MTPD’s special operations division includes explosive detection and
Metro provides substantial environmental benefits to the region, eliminating more than 1 million tons of pollutants from the air each year.