Renew Fairfield | Transportation / Resource Center Binder Page browse

Project description

To develop and promote ways to reduce the demand for vehicle-miles traveled within and out of Fairfield.

The Push Cart War by Jan Merrill: This book is written for children but has important lessons for adults about the importance of small businesses and small vehicles. Available at Fairfield Public Library.

Jefferson County Trails Council: http://www.jeffersoncountytrails.org
Carbon Offsets Demystified: http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/carbonoffsets.cfm
FairfieldToday Ride Share Board: http://www.fairfieldtoday.com
Amtrak passenger rail service: http://www.amtrak.com
Burlington Trailways passenger bus service: http://www.burlingtontrailways.com

Live local. If you're moving, consider the distance to work and shopping and other frequent errands as a major factor.
Buy local. Your "transportation footprint" includes the miles your stuff travels to get to you as well as the miles you travel to get it! And by patronizing local businesses, you help insure they'll stay in business so we can all shop there in the future.
Drive less. Combine errands, and bike or walk when you can. If you have an old bike that's in disrepair, spend the $50 to get it fixed up -- it'll pay for itself in under a month!
Share wheels. Carpool with others going the same way. When you know in advance you'll be driving out of town, advertise on a ride-share board, and check the ads that are already there.
Drive an efficient car. If you must buy a car, buy the smallest, most efficient one that meets your daily needs. When you need something larger, rent or borrow it.
Consider ground travel. Amtrak's stations are only a 20-minute drive away, compared to the 90-minute drive to the airport. Burlington Trailways stops right in town. Both options pollute much less than an airline.
Offset your carbon. Carbon offsets have raised some controversy, but the Co-Op America article above will help you find a legitimate way to offset the carbon from a plane flight or car-ownership.

Transportation committee contact: Ben Stallings, 472-1996