CEOs, civic leaders pledge to go car free or car lite
Central Indiana will join Paris, Brussels, Copenhagen, Jakarta, Metro Washington, D.C., and Long Island, NY, in marking World Car Free Day on Sept. 22.
For the second year, Commuter Connect is challenging Central Indiana employers and residents to go car free and take the bus, bike or walk to work or go “car-lite” and carpool or vanpool to work.
Individuals can take the pledge at www.CarFreeDayIndy.com. Everyone who takes the pledge is registered to win great prizes including Red Bull Air Race tickets, Colts tickets, Pacers suite tickets, Pacers Bikeshare passes, IPL Yuletide Celebration tickets, Capital Grille gift card and more.
“Car Free Day is designed to encourage people to try transportation options other than driving alone, with the ultimate goal of improving air quality,” said Andrew McGee, assistant director of the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority, which runs the Commuter Connect program.
Commuter Connect will be at the following locations on Sept. 22 with free food and music. The public is invited, and those who have signed the online pledge can receive a free emergency ride home pass.
Morning Rush: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. at Cummins Plaza, corner of Washington and Alabama streets, Downtown Indy, with music by DJ Kyle Long and refreshments from Dunkin Donuts
Lunchtime: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Monument Circle, with live music from The Doo! Band
So far, civic leaders who have taken the pledge to go car free or car lite on Sept. 22 include:
- Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett;
- Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers;
- Browning President & CEO John Hirschman;
- Citizens Energy Group President & CEO Jeffrey Harrison;
- Cummins Vice President of Community Relations and Corporate Responsibility Mary Chandler;
- Eskenazi Health CEO Dr. Lisa Harris;
- IPL President & CEO Rafael Sanchez;
- IUPUI Vice Chancellor for Community Engagement Amy Conrad Warner;
- Indy Chamber Chief Economic Development Officer Maureen Krauss;
- OneAmerica Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer Gene Berry; and
- YMCA of Greater Indianapolis President & CEO Eric Ellsworth.
Car Free Day Indy sponsors to date include Browning, Citizens Energy Group, Cummins, Dunkin Donuts, Emmis Communications, Eskenazi Health, Indiana Department of Transportation, IPL, IUPUI, Indy Chamber, OneAmerica and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.
Commuter Connect is a federally funded service designed to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. There is no charge for employers or employees to use Commuter Connect’s services. To learn more, visit www.CommuterConnect.us.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jen Schmits Thomas, 317.441.2487, jen@jtprinc.com
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