SamTrans and Caltrain are asking Bay Area transit leaders to demonstrate how easy it is to replace a car trip with a transit trip for Dump the Pump Day June 19.
This is the ninth annual National Dump the Pump Day. The American Public Transportation Association launched the campaign in 2006 as a way of getting drivers out of their cars just as gas prices were climbing past $3 per gallon. Today, saving money is even more important as gas prices continue to rise, so this year’s theme is “Dump the Pump. Save Money. Ride Transit”
San Mateo County leaders are signing a commitment pledge to Dump the Pump later this month. Participants include:
- David Canepa, Daly City mayor; San Mateo County Transportation Authority vice chair
- Karyl Matsumoto, South San Francisco mayor; San Mateo County Transportation Authority chair
- Jerry Deal, Burlingame City Council member; Caltrain Board vice chair; SamTrans Board member
As part of their commitment, board members will use a mix of transit, walking and bicycling to make their way to work and other obligations on June 19. They will also be participating in the national conversation sparked by the event by using social media to document their travels with the hashtag #DumpthePump.
Earlier, this month the SamTrans and Caltrain boards officially declared their recognition of the event with a proclamation marking June 19 as Dump the Pump Day.
Sustainable San Mateo County Executive Director Adrienne Etherton was on hand to accept the proclamations adding, “This year, Sustainable San Mateo County is putting its focus on transportation. The latest indicators released demonstrate that active transportation answers two key issues facing our country: the obesity epidemic and climate change. Encouraging our residents to ‘Dump the Pump’ is a great way to call attention to these concerns and get people to give public transit a try.”
Caltrain and SamTrans are also inviting members of the community to join the Dump the Pump campaign by leaving their cars at home and tweeting, posting to Instagram or using some other social media tool with the hashtag #DumpthePump to document their experience.
SamTrans and Caltrain employees can get entered into the raffle by taking transit, walking, bicycling or carpooling on Thursday, June 19. Sustainability Coordinator Michelle Senatore will be in the lobby between 7:30 and 9:30 checking “Pump Dumpers” in and handing out raffle tickets. Employees can get entered a second time by posting about their trip on Twitter or Instagram and tagging @SamTrans_News or @Caltrain_News along with using the hashtag #DumpthePump. Raffle prizes include one grand prize $100 Amazon gift certificate, a $50 gift certificate to Blue Line Pizza and a $25 gift certificate to Sneakers. For questions about posting trip details using social media, see Social Media Officer Jeremy Lipps.
