Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) the 2010 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation and save money, instead of driving a car. Started in June 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon, this national day emphasizes that public transportation is a great travel option that also helps people save money.
Public transportation in the United States is a crucial part of the solution to the nation’s economic, energy, and environmental challenges. Increasing numbers of people are using public transportation and local communities are expanding public transit services.
Public Transportation Saves Fuel, Reduces Congestion
- Access to bus and rail lines reduces driving by 4,400 miles per household annually.
- Americans living in areas served by public transportation save 646 million hours in travel time and 398 million gallons of fuel annually in congestion reduction alone.
- Without public transportation, congestion costs would have been an additional $13.7 billion.
- Public Transportation Saves Money
- The average household spends 18 cents of every dollar on transportation, and 94% of this goes to buying, maintaining, and operating cars, the largest expenditure after housing.
- Public transportation provides an affordable, and for many, a necessary alternative to driving.
- Households that are likely to use public transportation on a given day save over $8,400 every year.
- Public Transportation Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
- One person that switches to public transit can reduce their daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year.
- A single commuter switching his/her commute to public transportation can reduce a household’s carbon emissions by 10% and up to 30% if he/she eliminates a second car
Ride VTA on Dump the Pump Day and start your commitment to our environment. For your free trip plan call (408) 321-2300.
