Dump the Pump and Ride FREE in Summit County on Thursday, June 18th

Summit County, Ohio As economic challenges continue, METRO RTA announced it will join other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the fourth annual National Dump the Pump Day on June 18. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2009 National Dump the Pump Day is a day encouraging people to ride public transportation to save money, protect the environment, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and improve our quality of life.



METRO RTA is offering FREE rides on Thursday, June 18th on its regular bus routes. METRO SCAT and North Coast Express routes will NOT have free rides, due to capacity issues for these premium services.



“America is facing a number of significant economic challenges right now,” said METRO’s Executive Director Bob Pfaff. “People using METRO are helping to answer those challenges for themselves and for their community. That’s why we’re asking people to join METRO and Dump the Pump on June 18.”



Individuals can achieve an average annual savings of over $8,000 by taking public transportation instead of driving and by living with one less car. And for every $1 invested in public transportation infrastructure, $6 is generated in economic returns to communities.



“Public transportation also has an important role to play in the energy and environmental debate,” said Pfaff. “If you leave your car behind to take public transportation, you will be helping to reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy and combat climate change.”



Nationally, public transportation saves 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day – 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline per year. And switching to public transportation can reduce individual carbon emissions by 20 pounds per day or 4,800 pounds per year.

“By participating in Dump the Pump Day, we hope people who have never used METRO will give us a try instead of driving their car,” said Bob Pfaff.



“With the economic downturn affecting everyone, now is the time to save money and ride public transportation,” said APTA President William W. Millar. “The National Dump the Pump Day on June 18 is an opportunity for people across the country to ease the strain on their wallets and provide a more secure future for America.”