Contact: Virginia Miller
American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
202-496-4816
vmiller@apta.com

Editorial Backgrounder: National Dump the Pump Day

The Second Annual Dump the Pump day is a national effort that encourages individuals to "dump the pump" and ride public transportation. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, Dump the Pump Day raise awareness that public transportation helps improve the environment and conserve gasoline. It also offers the opportunity for people to beat the high price of gasoline and support public transportation as an important travel option that helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

On June 21, more than 100 public transportation agencies from coast to coast - including local public transportation authorities Metro and TANK - will join together to ask the public to park their cars and ride public transportation instead.

Fact Sheet: National Public Transportation Facts (provided by APTA)

• In 2006, Americans took 10.1 billion trips on public transportation - the highest ridership level in 49 years.
• 34 million times each weekday, people board public transportation.
• Each year, public transportation use in the U.S. saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline. This represents almost 4 million gallons of gasoline per day.
• Public transportation use saves the equivalent of 300,000 fewer automobile fill-ups every day - 108 million fewer cars filling up annually.
• Public transportation provides an affordable, and for many, necessary alternative to driving.
• Each year, public transportation households save over $1,399 worth of gas.
• Transit availability can reduce the need for an additional car, a yearly expense of $6,251 in a household budget.
• Public transportation use can help reduce pollution and promote cleaner air.
• Public transportation produces 95 percent less carbon monoxide (CO), 90 percent less in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nearly 50 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx), per passenger mile than private vehicles.
• By reducing smog-producing pollutants and greenhouse gases and by conserving ecologically sensitive lands and open spaces -- public transportation is helping to meet national air quality standards.

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