Tomorrow is National Dump the Pump Day. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) started this holiday six years ago as an opportunity to remind people that, often, the easiest way to save money is by leaving your car parked and taking transit.
Transit is a cheaper way to get to work, home, and recreational options than driving.
When we do drive, we benefit from our friends and neighbors leaving their cars at home – APTA estimates that in 2009, public transit use saved 785 million hours of travel time for drivers.
Want to find a way to celebrate Dump the Pump Day? (Other than taking the bus, of course).
Tomorrow, WestCAT, the Western Contra Costa Transit Authority, will pick one winner to receive a $20 value pass or a $20 Starbucks gift card. Email your name and contact info to WestCAT before the end of the day on Thursday, June 16 to enter. The winner will be announced Friday.
Not familiar with WestCAT? Explore the system below. It’s never too early to start getting ready for Dump the Pump Day 2012.
Looking for more reasons to love transit? From APTA:
- In 2010, Americans took 10.2 billion trips on public transportation.
- People board public transportation 35 million times each weekday.
- There are 7,200 public transportation organizations in the US, employing 400,000 people.
- Every $1 invested in public transportation generates $4 in economic returns.
- Public transportation reduces US oil consumption by 4.2 billion gallons each year.
- Public transportation reduces the US carbon footprint by 37 million metric tons each year. This is equivalent to the household emissions of every person in Washington, D.C., New York City, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles combined.
- Money spent on transit projects creates 20 percent more jobs than highway projects.
