MASON CITY – Mason City Public Transit and Paratransit will join with other public transportation systems in Iowa and across the nation to participate in the seventh annual National Dump the Pump Day on June 21. “We’ll welcome new riders and thank our regular riders with free rides on National Dump the Pump Day,” said Pat Otto, Mason City’s Transit Director. “By participating in Dump the Pump Day, we hope people who have never used Mason City Public Transit will decide to give us a try instead of driving their car.”
Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2012 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation to save money, protect the environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and improve our quality of life.
Individuals in a two-person household can achieve an average annual savings of over $9,000 by taking public transportation instead of driving and by living with one less car. And for every $1 invested in public transportation infrastructure, $6 is generated in economic returns to communities.
Public transportation saves 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day – 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline per year. And switching to public transportation can reduce individual carbon emissions by 20 pounds per day or 4,800 pounds per year.
I don’t mind public transit, but not because of some “dump the pump” agenda. I don’t see those behind such an agenda taking public transport. When those such as Algore hop on the bus for a trip to D.C., then, and only then will I follow suit.