Escambia County Area Transit will join with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the 13th annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 21.
ECAT is offering free rides for everyone on Dump the Pump Day to encourage residents and visitors to hop on board ECAT and to ride public transit for the day. In addition to offering free rides, ECAT has invited local community organizations to provide information to riders and visitors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ECAT Rosa L. Parks Transit Complex, 1515 W. Fairfield Drive.
The slogan of this year’s National Dump the Pump Day is “Dump the Pump. Ride Public Transit.†Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, the 2018 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation in order to get where they need to go, instead of driving a car.
Started in June 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon, this national day emphasizes the importance and cost effectiveness of public transportation. According to the March APTA Transit Savings Report, individuals in a two-person household can save an average of more than $9,894 annually by downsizing to one car.
Additionally, public transportation is a cornerstone of local economies in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Public transportation helps to make a community economically prosperous and competitive. Every dollar invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, powering community growth and revitalization.
For more information, visit goecat.com.