With the continued fluctuation of gas prices, Mountain Line announced today that it will join with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the eleventh annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 16. The slogan of this year’s National Dump the Pump Day is “Dump the Pump. Ride Public Transit.”
The celebration in Flagstaff will feature a Fare Free Day on Mountain Line and Mountain Lift on June 16. Mountain Line will also host a photo contest on its Facebook page. Riders can post photos of themselves dumping the pump and choosing transit, using the hashtag #dumpthepump. One entry will be randomly selected to win a $50 Visa gift card and three runners up will receive a 10-day Mountain Line pass. Photos can be posted to Mountain Line's Facebook.
Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2016 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation and to take them where they need to go, 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 convenient travel option that also helps people save money. According to the April 2016 APTA Transit Savings Report, individuals in a two-person household can save an average of more than $9,312 annually by downsizing to one car.
Additionally, public transportation is a cornerstone of local economies in urban, suburban, and rural communities. In fact, a public transportation helps to make a community economically prosperous and competitive. Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, powering community growth and revitalization.
