photo by Rev. Santino/Creative Commons
Not to be left in the dust of the 1970’s, the San Francisco-based Green Tortoise company has recently adopted some forward-thinking eco-initiatives to reflect the conscientious nature of their travelers.
Not familiar with the Tortoise? Sometimes referred to as a “counter-culture” bus line, Green Tortoise operates unique, affordable communal-style bus tours of the U.S. (primarily along the west coast), as well as dipping down into Mexico and Central America. Their trips appeal to the younger, independent backpacker set who are ready to sleep in a bunk on the bus, share communal vegetarian meals at rest stops and get to know their fellow adventurers.
The folks at Green Tortoise will be the first to point out that their attitudes have always been shaped around environmental sensitivity — after all, a GT sleeper coach averages over 200 passenger miles per gallon on most trips, removing up to 36 cars from the road at once.
But in 2007, Green Tortoise made the switch to naturally-sourced biodiesel for as much of their bus fleet as possible.They also have built carbon offsets into their trip fees, which they subsidize 50% of for their guests, through a partnership with carbonfund.org.
The Green Tortoise is also a member of the Co-op America Business Network, which recognizing them as a “business that operates in a way to solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems.”
New to the GT line-up: bus trips to several national parks like Zion and Yellowstone as well as popular fairs and festivals like Burning Man and Mardi Gras.
Read the full schedule at www.greentortoise.com.