www.elpasotexas.gov - Fourth Annual National Dump The Pump

EL PASO, TEXAS—As America’s economic challenges continue, Sun Metro joins public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the 4th annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 18.

Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2009 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.

On June 18 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun Metro will provide free rides for anyone who steps onto the eco-friendly Ozone Action Days bus. The unique bus, which features a wrap illustrating how using public transportation can help improve El Paso’s air quality, will travel throughout the city briefly taking over routes and educating the public about Dump the Pump Day.

“America is facing a number of significant economic challenges right now,” said Jay Banasiak, Sun Metro director. “People that use public transportation are helping to answer those challenges for themselves, El Paso and their country. That’s why we’re asking all El Pasoans to join us and dump the pump on June 18.”

APTA reports that people can achieve an average annual savings of nearly $8,000 by taking public transportation instead of driving and by living with one less vehicle. And for every $1 invested in public transportation infrastructure, $6 is generated in economic returns to communities.

An average of 79 percent of El Pasoans drive to work alone and only 11 percent carpool to work, according to a 2005-07 U.S. Census survey. Moreover, a 2000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study reports that the average passenger car emits about 11,450 pounds of carbon dioxide, 575 pounds of carbon monoxide and uses about 581 gallons of gas each year.

Public transportation saves 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day – 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline per year, according to APTA reports. And switching to public transportation can reduce individual carbon emissions by 20 pounds per day or 4,800 pounds per year.

“If you leave your car behind to take public transportation, you will be helping reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy and combat climate change,” Banasiak said. “By participating in Dump the Pump Day, we hope people who have never used Sun Metro will decide to give us a try instead of driving their car.”

For more information about Sun Metro, call (915) 533-3333.