More than half of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the fuel burned by our cars and trucks. Plus, driving is expensive when you consider all associated costs—gas, maintenance, insurance, registration, parking. Although living car-free is not usually a realistic option, there are ways to get around town that can save you money and help the planet.
Green Your Ride
Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity as automakers commit to their production and consumers seek greener options. A typical internal combustion engine burns 500+ gallons of gasoline and emits 5 tons of carbon dioxide every year! Electricity is a cleaner and cheaper energy source than oil and EVs produce virtually no harmful tailpipe emissions. Plus, new EVs may be eligible for federal tax credits up to $7,500 (depending on manufacturer and income tax owed).
The City currently has six FREE public EV charging stations and is working to install more in the future. The City’s public chargers are all “Level 2” (7.2kW), which add 20+ miles of Range Per Hour.
Map of EV charging stations at City Facilities
EV (electric vehicle) Charging Stations at City facilities:
• City Hall, 100 E. Ocean Ave. (dual charger)*
• Kapok Park (north parking lot), 100 NE 1st Ave. (dual charger)*
• Intracoastal Park, 2240 N Federal Hwy. (dual charger)*
• Oceanfront Park, 6415 N Ocean Blvd. (dual charger)*
• Officer Joseph Crowder Dog Park, 800 Renaissance Commons Blvd (dual charger)*
• Sara Sims Park, 209 NW 9th Ave
Follow Instructions for Florida Power & Light’s charging stations
Additional charging stations through the United States can be found at this interactive map
The Boynton Beach Energy Edge Rebate Program provides EV charger rebates of $250-$500 to City residents.
EV Resources
plugshare.com | electrifythesouth.org | afdc.energy.gov | fueleconomy.gov | chooseev.com | atlasevhub.com
Palm Tran is the regional bus service for Palm Beach County. Palm Tran offers frequent and convenient service in and around the City of Boynton Beach, City Hall, and to and from the Tri-Rail station.
Routes servicing Boynton Beach are 1, 2, 3, 70, 71, and 73.
Route/map and fare information can be found online.
Bicycles on Palm Tran Buses
Palm Tran's “Bikes on Buses” Program offers bike racks on the front of every bus.
More questions? visit www.palmtran.org or call 561-841-4BUS / 877-930-4BUS (4287)
Tri-Rail
Tri-Rail is South Florida’s tri-county commuter rail system, which operates 18 stations along the I-95 corridor of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Tri-Rail services the City of Boynton Beach with a station at I-95 and Gateway Boulevard. City Hall and Utilities employees can ride Palm Tran’s Route 70 from the Tri-Rail station for easy connections to work.
Employer Discount Program (EDP)
The City of Boynton Beach is a member of Tri-Rail’s Employer Discount Program (EDP), which enables city employees to purchase monthly or 12-trip passes at a 25% discount. Click here to complete your online EDP registration to qualify you to purchase your discounted Tri-Rail pass.
Bicycles on Tri-Rail
Tri-Rail allows bicycles in each train car and offers complimentary Bicycle Lockers (with a refundable $20 deposit) at most train stations. For more information, click here. Call 800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245) / 954-783-6030
South Florida’s new high-speed train does not stop in Boynton Beach, but it is a car-free option for traveling from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale, and eventually to Miami and Orlando. The train travels up to 79 mph on the Florida East Coast Railway tracks just west of Federal Highway. Please use extra caution when crossing the tracks.
March is Florida Bicycle Month!
Biking and walking are pollution-free ways of getting around town, and are also cheap, healthy, and fun! We can bike or walk to shops, restaurants, parks, recreational centers, and the beach. The City aims to become more pedestrian and bike friendly through its Greenways, Blueways, and Trails Plan. The plan’s goals are to enhance safety, connect people with natural areas, and increase recreation and conservation opportunities.
Traffic Laws and Safety
In Florida the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle. Bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways, and must obey the same traffic laws as the operators of motor vehicles. These laws include stopping for stop signs and red lights, riding with the flow of traffic, using lights at night, and yielding the right-of-way when entering a roadway. On the other hand, a cyclist riding on a sidewalk or crosswalk has the rights and duties of a pedestrian.
Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks and within marked (and sometimes unmarked) crosswalks. If there is a sidewalk, then pedestrians have to walk on it. But if there isn’t a sidewalk, Florida law allows pedestrians to walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic. Drivers owe a duty of care to pedestrians and must take extra precautions with children and those who are incapacitated.
Safety Publications and Links:
Carpooling cuts emissions by 50% or more, saves money, and reduces congestion on our roads. It also fosters new friendships among neighbors and co-workers!
RideFlag
The RideFlag app matches riders with drivers going to the same direction. Drivers and riders see detailed information about each other, so they can select who to pick up or ride with.
Download the RideFlag app.
South Florida Commuter Services
Users create an online SFCS profile and are provided information on other commuters interested in carpooling. You can email, text, or call the matches that work for you. Learn more at www.1800234ride.com or by calling 1-800-234-RIDE (7433).
SFCS also provides information about Vanpooling and Park & Ride.
