Bay Area Transit Agencies Offer Free Rides

Jul. 26–Transit agencies across the Bay Area will offer free rides this morning on the first Spare the Air Day of the season.

Ozone levels are expected to exceed health standards as hot and stagnant weather engulfs the region. Ground-level ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds combine with oxides of nitrogen in the presence of heat and sunlight. These smog-forming gases are emitted from tailpipes, evaporating gasoline, paints and household products.

To encourage drivers to leave their cars at home, 21 transit agencies including BART, the Valley Transportation Authority and SamTrans will offer free bus and train rides from 4 to 9 a.m. BART tested the idea last year and ridership increased by 40,000 over two Spare the Air days.

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