June 8, 2009
National Dump the Pump Day
June 18, 2009
Save Your Money. Save Your Planet.
On June 18, people across the country will “dump the pump” and ride public transportation on the annual National Dump the Pump Day, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association. More than 90 transit systems are participating in “dump the pump” activities this year.
The 2009 National Dump the Pump Day is a public awareness day that emphasizes the environmental benefits of using public transportation. The day also offers the opportunity for people to save money, protect the environment, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
U.S. public transportation systems help to create a healthier environment by reducing smog-producing pollutants and greenhouse gases. Public transportation produces nearly 50 percent less carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide per passenger mile, as private vehicles. In addition, U.S. public transportation systems save 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline every year, the equivalent of 108 million cars filling up in a year.
Public Transportation Ridership:
- In 2007, Americans took 10.3 billion trips on public transportation - the highest ridership level in 50 years.
- 34 million times each weekday, people board public transportation.
- Since 1995 public transportation ridership is up 32 percent.
Energy Conservation - Reducing National Dependence on Foreign Oil:
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Each year, public transportation use in the U.S. saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline. This represents almost 4 million gallons of gasoline per day.
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The “leverage effect” of public transportation, supporting transportation efficient land use patterns, saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline – more than three times the amount of gasoline refined from the oil we import from Kuwait.
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Public transportation use saves the equivalent of 300,000 fewer automobile fill-ups every day - 108 million fewer cars filling up annually.
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Each year, public transportation use saves the equivalent of 34 supertankers of oil, or a supertanker leaving the Middle East every 11 days.
Individual Cost Savings:
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Public transportation provides an affordable, and for many, necessary alternative to driving.
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Each year public transportation households save over $1,399 worth of gas.
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Transit availability can reduce the need for an additional car, a yearly expense of $6,251 in a household budget.
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The average household spends 18 cents per dollar on transportation, and 94 percent of this goes to buying, maintaining and operating cars.
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Americans living in areas served by public transportation save $18 billion annually in congestion costs.
Public Transportation Reduces Greenhouse Gases and Conserves Energy:
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The “leverage effect” of public transportation reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually – equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. To achieve similar reduction in carbon emissions, every household in New York City, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles combines would have to completely stop using electricity.
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People living in households within one-quarter mile of rail and one-tenth of a mile from a bus stop drive approximately 4,400 fewer miles annually as compared to persons in similar households with no access to public transit. This equates to an individual household reduction of 223 gallons of gasoline a year.
For more information, visit www.apta.com.
For an online transit calculator, visit www.apta.com/services/transit_calculator/index.cfm.