ba/codered.pr        97-202                                 Contact: Carolyn Biggins, 301-217-2184




COUNTY ANNOUNCES
CODE RED-RIDE FREE PROGRAM
FOR HIGH OZONE DAYS                            For Immediate Release: June 23, 1997


     As part of its ongoing efforts to help reduce air pollution during hot summer months,
Montgomery County's Ride On bus service will again offer free morning rush-hour (up to
9:30 a.m.) rides on days designated as Code Red (unhealthful) by the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments, beginning June 30.
     Produced by a chemical reaction of various emissions in the presence of sunlight and
heat, ground-level ozone is a problem common to the summer months.  Ozone concentrations
tend to be highest on hot, sunny, windless afternoons. According to County environmental
officials, decreasing the amount of pollutants in the morning helps reduce the probability of a
build-up of ground-level ozone later in the day.
     The ozone forecast is reported daily through a system of color codes beginning with
Code Green for good air quality; Code Yellow, moderate air quality; Code Orange,
approaching unhealthful air; and Code Red, unhealthful air quality.
     Now in its third year, the Code Red-Ride Free program is a joint effort between the
County's departments of Environmental Protection and Public Works and Transportation.
                                  -more-

COUNTY ANNOUNCES CODE RED-RIDE FREE .                                         2-2-2-2

     "Ride On is greatly committed to helping to ensure clean air and a healthful
environment," said Carolyn Biggins, chief of the Division of transit services in the department
of Public Works and Transportation. "We want to be part of the solution to reducing harmful
emissions and promoting a healthy community."
     For more information about the Code Red-Ride Free program, call the Transit
Information Center at 301-217-7433 (touchtone); 301-217-6434 (pulse rotary phone); and
TDD 301-217-2222; or reach Ride On online at www.dpwt.com/rideon.

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