Dump The Pump Day A Success!

APTA’s fourth annual National “Dump the Pump” Day, June 18, was a great success as 77 public transit systems around the nation, including Paducah Area Transit System, held events to spread the message of how using public transportation instead of driving helps people save money. Also participating were six state public transportation associations.

“With gas prices increasing 33 percent since December, coupled with uncertain economic times, people have been looking for ways to save, and riding public transportation is a great choice to make,” said APTA President William Millar.Some public transit systems offered free or reduced rides. Others held contests and gave away free transit passes, while still others placed ads at gas stations or content on YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace. You can follow PATS on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Paducah_Transit

A variety of broadcast and print media featured the event, and many APTA members reported that their ridership showed an increase as a result of the publicity. Dump the Pump helps APTA remind the public as well as legislators of the main benefits of public transportation: economic savings, energy independence, and environmental benefits, which combine to produce a better quality of life for all Americans.