AVTA Providing Free Local Bus Rides to Drivers Who Dump the Pump
The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) will join public transportation agencies across the country by participating in the 11th Annual National Dump the Pump Day on June 16, 2016. To encourage people to leave their cars at home and use public transit, the AVTA will be offering free bus rides on all of their local routes for the entire day. AVTA staff members will also be on select local buses from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., playing trivia games with passengers and handing out prizes. The agency hopes to raise awareness about the multiple benefits that public transportation provides to the individual, to the community and to the nation.
"Leaving the driving to the AVTA can eliminate costly gasoline purchases, reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, and dramatically shrink one's carbon footprint," said Board Chair Marvin Crist. "Public transit also relieves the hassles and expenses of finding and paying for parking, dealing with auto maintenance and repairs, and negotiating traffic."
Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), this national public transportation awareness day encourages people to “dump the pump” by parking their car and riding public transit instead. As the AVTA continues to move closer to its goal of an all-electric zero-emission fleet by 2018, Dump the Pump Day provides a great opportunity to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of taking public transportation.
Great prizes, such as gift cards, free passes and game tickets are just some of the items that have been donated by event sponsors Antelope Valley Mall, Lancaster JetHawks, Mulligan Family Fun Center, DryTown Water Park and local stations KTPI and KMIX. AVTA is also promoting the event through Facebook and Twitter, and anyone who follows the agency on social media will be entered into a drawing for a weekend trip for four to Disneyland, a prize package worth $1,500 and generously donated by premium sponsor BYD.
"This is the first time that our agency has participated in Dump the Pump Day, and we are already amazed at the great response we are getting from the public," stated Executive Director Len Engel. "We are expecting a large number of first-time riders on our local transit service, and we are confident that they will see the benefits of public transportation for themselves. We are especially grateful for our wonderful sponsors who are making this great day possible."
