GAINESVILLE—Gainesville Connection, the city's fixed-route public transit system, is joining other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the tenth annual National Dump the Pump Day June 18. The slogan this year is "Dump the Pump: Ride Public Transit."
Gainesville-Hall County Community Service Center Director Phillippa Lewis Moss, who oversees operation of the Gainesville Connection, says the event is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
The 2015 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation and to take them where they need to go, instead of driving a car. This event started in June 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon and emphasizes that public transportation is a convenient travel option that also helps people save money. Additionally, public transportation is a cornerstone of local economies in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Public transportation helps make a community economically prosperous and competitive. Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, powering community growth and revitalization, Lewis Moss said.
According to the April APTA Transit Savings Report http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2015/Pages/150428_Transit-Savings.aspx, individuals in a two-person household can save an average of more than $9,394 annually by downsizing to one car.
The Gainesville Connection Administrative office at 687 Main Street will be handing out free popcorn and drinks from 10:00-5:00 the day of the event.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/6/315275/gainesville-connections-joins-dump-the-pump-campaign