Make a change in your driving habits and Dump the Pump on June 16, 2011. In these tough economic times, everyone is looking for a way to save money. An easy way to do that is to take public transportation, share the ride, bike to work, or avoid a commute trip all together and telework.
National Dump the Pump Day is designed to raise awareness of the big financial and environmental benefits of choosing a commute other than driving alone. In fact, the latest American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Transit Savings Report shows that a two-person household in San Diego, which downsizes to one car, can save, on average, more than $10,500 a year. Calculate how much it costs you to commute to work using iCommute’s Cost of Commute Calculator and see how much you can save daily, monthly, or annually by leaving your solo commute behind.
Nationally, Dump the Pump Day emphasizes that public transportation is a great travel choice. According to APTA, one person switching to public transit can reduce daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds or more than 4,800 pounds in a single year. Locally, the San Diego region’s two transit operators, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit District (NCTD), are partnering with the SANDAG iCommute program to promote a range of commute choices.
Take advantage of the special Dump the Pump promotions this month:
• From iCommute: Pledge to Dump the Pump and log your alternative commute trip in TripTracker from June 13 - 30, 2011, to be entered into a drawing for a $50 VONS grocery card. An alternate commute includes taking public transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, or teleworking.
• From MTS: Head on over to Old Town from 8 to 10 a.m. on June 16 to earn a gift card for singing along to the “MTS Moves Me Like That” jingle in front of our video camera.
• From NCTD: Transit riders are invited to Dump the Pump and Snap Yourself! Take a picture of your face on BREEZE, SPRINTER, or COASTER, e-mail it to webmaster@nctd.org or tweet @gonctd, and you could win an iPod Touch or Nook e-reader. Details at gonctd.com/SnapYourself. Stop by the NCTD booth at the Oceanside's Sunset Market June 16 and receive a free transit pass if you “Sign the Pledge to Save.”
On June 16, drop by the Old Town Transit Station from 8 to 10 a.m. for more Dump the Pump fun and specials. Join iCommute, MTS, NCTD, radio station The Walrus 105.7, and hundreds of commuters who “Dumped the Pump” that morning and took public transit.
For more information, call 511 and say “iCommute” or visit “what’s new” at iCommuteSD.com.
Rideshare Week is a nationally recognized event held the first week in October to promote commute alternatives to driving alone. Make the choice to join commuters and companies nationwide as they replace their solo drive with a new, more sustainable commute. It could lead to additional choices for you by providing more money in your pocket, better health, less stress, new acquaintances, and more.
A nationally recognized event, Bike to Work Day supports bicycling as a viable, environmentally-friendly commute choice. The event occurs annually on the third Friday of May, which is National Bike Month.
For more information, call 511 and say “iCommute” or e-mail iCommute@sandag.org.
Rideshare Week
Bike to Work Day
TripTracker
Events Calendar