Transportation program earns praise from EPA

UCI’s sustainable transportation program, which encourages students and staff to walk, bike and carpool, earned recognition Thursday from the Environmental Protection Agency, school officials announced.

In an award ceremony in San Francisco, UCI was one of 40 honorees selected for an Environmental Achievement Award by the EPA for meeting state goals and developing a program that could be replicated by individuals and companies.

UCI’s program also encourages scooters, vanpools, car-sharing services, shuttles and public transportation as a way of getting to or from, and moving within the university.

The EPA estimates that UCI’s program eliminated more than 39 million vehicle miles and 19,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. It also saved UCI an estimated $21 million annually, school officials said.

UCI commuters average 1.87 riders per car, the highest average vehicle ridership for any employer of similar size in the region.

— Joseph Serna