One Day, No Cars: 128BC’s Car Free Day Results
On September 22, 2025, 128 Business Council riders joined commuters across Massachusetts to go car-free for a day. Together with our MassCommute partners, we turned everyday trips into climate and cost savings.
What is International Car Free Day?
Every year cities around the world celebrate International Car Free Day. The idea is simple: leave the car at home and choose an eco-friendly way to get around instead. For one day, millions of people show what happens when walking, biking, transit, shuttles, and remote work take center stage, instead of single-occupancy vehicles.
How Massachusetts Joined the Movement
Here in Massachusetts, MassCommute—the coalition of Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) across the Commonwealth—hosted its third annual Car Free Day celebration. MassCommute challenged commuters to take the Car Free Day Pledge and use a greener mode for at least one trip. To make things more fun, we offered raffle prizes, including multiple $25 gift cards, Owala water bottles, and a grand prize pair of Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
Quick refresher: A Transportation Management Association (TMA) is a nonprofit, member-based group that works with employers, property managers, and municipalities to reduce drive-alone trips and expand commuting options in a specific area. MassCommute brings all of the TMAs in Massachusetts together so we can coordinate outreach, share data, and run statewide efforts like Car Free Day.
Statewide Results
Across all participating TMAs, 1,749 commuters in Massachusetts took the Car Free Day pledge. Together they avoided 32,916 miles of driving. Those choices saved an estimated $28,740 in travel costs and kept about 1,814 gallons of fuel in the tank. The combined impact reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 16.1 tons.
Massachusetts commuters used a wide mix of car-free and low-car options. Public transit accounted for 44% of reported trips. Biking made up 23%, and walking contributed another 14%. Remote work represented 10% of trips. Carpools and vanpools made up 4%, as did shuttle services. Scooters rounded out the list at 1%.
128BC’s Car-Free Day by the Numbers
Commuters from 128 Business Council made a strong showing within those statewide totals. Forty-two people from our member organizations and The Grid shuttle system participated. Together they reported 941.9 car-free miles.
Our participants used many different non-SOV modes. Public transit topped the list with 18 participants. Shuttle services came next with 14 participants. Six people chose to bike, two chose to telework, one joined a carpool or vanpool, and one used a scooter.
We also celebrated a bit of prize luck close to home: One of the raffle winners came from 128 Business Council. They received an Owala water bottle as their reward for going car-free.
See You Next Car Free Day
Thank you to everyone who took the pledge and tried a different way of getting around this year! Your choices added up to real environmental benefits, cost savings, and a powerful demonstration of what a lower-car future can look like.
Keep an eye on our news page and rider communications for announcements about next year’s International Car Free Day—and start thinking now about how you’ll go car-free in 2026!
