2011 Dump the Pump

On June 16, 2011, the American Public Transportation Association along with Caltrain and other public transportation systems across the country will celebrate the 6th Annual National Dump the Pump Day. The day is a chance to encourage people to ride public transit instead of driving to reap countless benefits, including saving money.

Riding public transit is the quickest way to beat high gas prices. The latest APTA Transit Savings Report shows that a two-person household that downsizes to one car can save more than $10,000 per year on average. Compare what you can save by switching from driving to SamTrans by using the Caltrain Commute Calculator.

Public transit improves the economy, the environment, energy use and the quality of life:

  • Wise Investment: Every $1 invested in public transit generates approximately $4 in economic returns
  • Return on Investment: Every $10 million in operating investment yields $32 million in increased business sales
  • Time savings: Public transit reduces congestion (saving 785 million hours in travel time in more than 400 urban areas)
  • Gas Relief: 4.2 million gallons of gasoline are saved each year by people using transit instead of driving
  • Fewer Miles: Households near transit drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles than those with no access to transit
  • Cleaner Air: Public transit use reduces our nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.
  • Weight Loss: One person switching to public transit can reduce daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds (that’s more than 4,800 annually)
  • More Independence: 83 percent of older Americans said public transit provides easy access to things they need in everyday life

For more information on the positive impacts of public transit, visit www.publictransportation.org.

rph 5/6/11