7 Eco-Friendly Transportation Options for Meetings and Events

Municipal buses are notorious for their high environmental impact, but several forward-thinking cities have transitioned—or are currently transitioning—to cleaner technology. While the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) has operated two electric buses since 2014, the city is in the process of adding 20 new electric buses to its rotation; the plan includes the installation of five electric quick-charging stations throughout the city, and vehicles can travel between 75 and 120 miles per charge. The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) operates the Downtown Electric Shuttle, a fleet of three battery-powered electric transit buses. This zero-emissions public transportation service runs roughly every five minutes, stopping at each block from the Chattanooga Choo Choo to the Tennessee Aquarium.

Pedicabs offer a fun, eco-friendly way to transport your guests short distances, usually about a mile or two. Typically able to accommodate two to three riders at a time, these open-air vehicles are human powered, so they release no harmful gases or materials into the air. Pedicabs are available in cities across the country, and depending on the traffic patterns and the terrain, they can typically traverse half a mile in 10-20 minutes. For groups and special occasions, Pedicab Events, which operates throughout California, coordinates with local florists and other vendors to dress their fleet up to match on the event decor. In New Orleans, Bike Taxi Unlimited enables passengers to take in all of the sights and sounds of the city in a much more engaging and environmentally conscious way than traditional motorized transportation.

If you’re hosting an event in a city with a trolley system, you might have another green option available. Electric streetcars, which are powered by electricity from overhead wires, are more energy-efficient and quieter than gas-guzzling transportation. They also require less maintenance, operate better on hills, and typically last longer. In San Francisco, for example, these vehicles are almost entirely pollution free, as their power comes from the city’s hydroelectric system. Planners can even reserve electric streetcars specifically for their events through SFMTA, the city’s mass transit system.

While bicycles are not a recent technological innovation, sometimes the greenest solutions are the simplest. In recent years, cities across North America have increasingly made it easier for residents and visitors to navigate on bicycles. According to the North American Bikeshare Association, in 2016, there were 50,000 bikeshare bikes in rotation, and as of 2017, 130 North American cities had implemented a bikeshare program. In Texas, the Fort Worth B Cycle bikeshare program offers a service designed for private groups: For an added fee, the company will deliver and pick up the bikes from your specified location, making it easy for guests to transport themselves from one location to another. In Philadelphia, Indego offers on-demand bikes that riders can pick up at stations around the city, and the company recently introduced a pilot program for electric bikes as well.

As an alternative to traditional diesel fuel, buses that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) produce roughly 45 percent less hydrocarbons, making them an attractive option for green meetings and events. In Washington, D.C., for example, more than 1,400 buses operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority run on a version of alternative fuel that is less harmful to the environment, including CNG, advanced technology diesel fuel, and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel.

When choosing a car service to transport guests, be mindful of eco-friendly practices. Several companies specialize in offering vehicles that run on clean technology. With Eco-Green Limousine in New York, for example, all drivers use hybrid vehicles, which reduce harmful emissions by more than 80 percent compared to traditional fuel technology. In Canada, the app-based EcoRides transportation service operates a completely emissions-free fleet of electric cars, which can be booked in advance or requested on demand.

In September, San Francisco boat tour operator Red & White Fleet added the Enhydra to its available vessels. This 128-foot, 600-passenger lithium-ion battery hybrid boat is the first of its kind in the United States. The near-silent vessel consumes less than eight gallons of gas per hour, making it a sustainable and unique option to tour the city from the San Francisco Bay. In addition to its green appeal, the vessel impresses guests with its two panoramic outdoor decks, elegant finishes, a state-of-the-art sound system, and audio tours available in 16 languages.