Ozone alert in effect for Tuesday

There’s an ozone alert in place for tomorrow, August 26. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) says an unhealthy level of ground-level ozone, also known as smog, is expected tomorrow in the Kansas City region.

MARC says vehicle emissions are a major contributor to regional ozone pollution, and suggests carpooling or using public transportation to cut pollution.

“Taking fewer trips in your car and choosing alternative forms of transportation, especially on Ozone Alert days, can help everyone breathe easier during the summer months,” said Amanda Graor, MARC air quality program manager. “Even small actions can make a difference.”

The Area Transportation Authority is also offering reduced fares on buses.

Details

• The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s (KCATA) Regional Call Center offers assistance in planning trips by bus. Contact the call center at 816-221-0660 weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The center provides route information for The Metro, The JO and Unified Government Transit.
• A trip planner is also available online at www.kcata.org. Most fares on regional buses are reduced to 75 cents on Ozone Alert days.
• MARC issues the SkyCast, the region’s daily ozone season air quality forecast, on its website ( www.marc.org) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/airQKC). SkyCast information is also available via the air quality Facebook page (www.facebook.com/airQKC ), the information line at (913) 383-7557, and many area media outlets.