MINEOLA, NY –Nassau County Executive Laura Curran today joined LIRR President Phil Eng, CEO of NICE Bus Jack Khzouz and Co-Chair of Car Free Day LI Rosemary Mascali to announce that Long Island’s 6th Annual Car Free Day will take place on Friday, September 21st this year.
Car Free Day is an international event celebrated in over 2,500 cities in 50 countries around the world. This September, residents are encouraged to use alternative modes of transportation, such as taking mass transit, carpooling, biking, walking and telecommuting.
“On September 21st I encourage all residents to join me in the pledge to be car-free or car-lite,” said County Executive Curran. “Going car-free, or car-lite conserves energy and saves money while reducing traffic, parking problems and harmful emissions.”
In 2017, 6,808 Long Islanders pledged to be car free or car-lite, resulting in the avoidance of 134,000 miles of driving and 67 tons of CO2 emissions. And studies show, smart, transit-oriented developments create sustainable neighborhoods that see a reduction in travel times, congestion, and emissions and an increase in strong economies.
“We think if people tried catching a NICE bus they’d be surprised at how easy and affordable it can be to go to the LIRR or subway, to school, or to their workplace,” said Jack Khzouz, CEO of NICE Bus. “NICE bus is all about reducing traffic congestion and environmental impacts, while increasing mobility. Each day, we provide close to 100,000 trips on our fleet of CNG-powered buses.”
“The LIRR is a crucial piece to the success of Long Island – for jobs, families, housing market, and especially the environment, and we take reducing traffic on our roads and highways seriously and that's why we are working aggressively to build a world-class railroad that commuters want and deserve,” said LIRR President Phil Eng.
In addition, the organizers of Car Free Day will be tabling at three County buildings in the coming weeks to provide information to residents and employees on alternative transit options.
“By encouraging County residents and employees to take alternative modes of transit, we are reducing our negative impacts on the environment, improving public health by engaging our population in more active forms of transit while strengthening our local and regional economy,” said County Executive Curran. “This supports the County’s tax base and provides funds to reinvest in our critical infrastructure.”
“Car Free Day LI gives Nassau County employees and residents the opportunity to consider the impact of cars on the environment and our health,” said Co-Chair Car Free Day LI Rosemary Mascali. “Pledging to use an alternative such as the LIRR, NICE Bus, biking, walking or carpooling, even if just for one day, is a positive first step to using more sustainable transportation options.”
Any County employee or resident interested in taking the pledge will be able to sign up at the following locations, or online at www.carfreedayli.com:
- Thursday, August 30 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Ralph G. Kaso Executive Building, 1 West Street
- Thursday, September 6 from 11 am to 2 pm at the DSS Building, 660 Charles Lindbergh Blvd.
- Thursday, September 13 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Nassau County Office Building at 240 Old Country Road