Buzz from the COP15 climate change conference is everywhere this week, including right here in our own backyard. In fact Denver Mayor, John Hickenlooper, was asked to participate in a panel discussion at the conference focusing on the role of public transportation in reducing carbon emissions.
I know, I was a little surprised to hear that too. Nothing against the Mayor’s office, it’s just that when you think of superior urban mass transit systems, Denver doesn’t necessarily ”make the train”. Ours isn’t the only American city that shares this perception. But that doesn’t mean these cities can’t do something about it.
Bad puns aside, Denver has actually come a long way with its transit system. Just 14 years ago there was basically nothing, where as today the Denver Light Rail for example, is pretty robust. And new plans to expand will offer up an additional 122 miles of track and nearly 60 new stations. It’s cool to see something like that, which is so close to home, in the mix at the Copenhagen conference.
Speaking from a WhiteWave perspective, the more they beef up the current light rail and bus systems around here, the more jazzed we’ll all be thanks to the Eco Pass we receive upon being hired. A huge incentive because a good portion of our headquarter employees don’t live within biking or walking distance to the office. And regardless of your personal views on global warming, I don’t hear anyone disagreeing with the idea of Gas Savings = Cash Savings.
I also don’t hear anyone disagreeing with the idea of giving public transportation outlets a little flavor…
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