Sixth Annual Commemorative Day Outlines Savings from Using Public Transit
The Chicago Transit Authority joins other transit agencies across the country to encourage residents to leave their vehicles at home and take public transit on the sixth annual Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 16. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is sponsoring a social media contest as part of the Dump the Pump Day recognition.
Chicagoland travelers who choose public transit over driving are invited to visit one of RTA’s social media accounts to post about their experiences and be eligible to win prizes that include Amazon Kindle, iPod Shuffle and transportation-related passes and gift cards. For more information on the contest visit
www.rtachicago.com.
National Dump the Pump Day is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and promotes using public transportation instead of driving a car as a means to save money and protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions. According to the most recent APTA study based on gas prices in April, a Chicagoan who chooses public transit over car ownership saves an average of $12,192, which is the largest savings in three years. Individuals can calculate their fuel savings at
http://www.publictransportation.org/tools/fuel-savings.asp
Research from 2009 shows that public transportation agencies in the U.S. saved citizens in 439 urban areas 785 million hours in travel time and 640 million gallons of fuel. In addition according to APTA, every $1 spent on public transit generates $4 in economic returns, every $1 billion invested creates and supports 36,000 jobs and every $10 billion in capital investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased business sales.
Public transportation is cost-effective and is good for the environment as fewer cars on the road helps reduce carbon emissions. Individuals who wish to combine driving with the cost savings of public transit can use CTA’s Park & Ride lots.
Parking is available for approximately 6,000 cars at facilities adjacent to 17 CTA rail stations, mainly at terminals, throughout the CTA system. Park & Ride locations are listed on CTA’s system map and on the CTA website,
www.transitchicago.com. Customers also may obtain information on Park & Ride facilities by calling 836-7000 from any local area code.
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