7th Annual National Dump the Pump Day Rally in Chicago to be held June 21

June 19, 2012
Transit use encouraged, RTA sponsors contest.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Metra and Pace will host a rally for the 2012 National Dump the Pump Day at noon on Thursday, June 21, at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago. The rally will acknowledge the day as one to use public transit instead of driving.

The RTA is joining more than 100 other transit systems across the country for the Dump the Pump campaign that is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

RTA Executive Director Joe Costello said the initiative represents another unified service board partnership to promote overall transit use in the region.

“When a rider takes public transportation and leaves their car at home, they are contributing to the reduction of pollutants in the air, reducing highway congestion, saving money and showing their commitment to the sustainability of our environment,” Costello said.

The rally will include members of the transit community engaging the public about how public transportation can save money and the environment, and there will even be a special guest who will kick off the rally to a tune drivers know about all too well — high gas prices.

Additionally, participants who pledge to Dump the Pump can register before and during the rally to win exciting prizes including an Amazon Kindle, iPod Shuffle and a transportation package that includes free transit. Dump the Pump participants can sign-up to win these prizes at www.RTAchicago.com or by visiting Facebook.com/FriendsofTransit.

The regional transit system makes a significant impact on the region’s environment by saving approximately 150 million gallons of gas annually. And as saving money continues to be on everyone’s mind in this economic climate, the Dump the Pump campaign is another means to encourage travelers to see the value in public transportation.