A record 176 public transit systems and 46 other organizations in the U.S. are participating in the 10th annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 18. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), this national public awareness day encourages people to change their travel behavior and switch from driving a car to riding a bus or train. Not only does riding public transportation help an individual save money, but it helps grow a community, and improves the environment.

“Public transportation is an integral part of communities across the country. National Dump the Pump Day highlights public transit services and asks people to go car free and ride a bus or train, instead of driving a car,” said American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Chair and L.A. Metro CEO Phil Washington.

In communities of all sizes across the nation, people will be dumping the pump on June 18, said APTA President/CEO Michael Melaniphy. “This year, 176 public transit systems are promoting National Dump the Pump Day in a variety ways to thank current riders and welcome new riders.” (See below for links of Dump the Pump Day participants.)

APTA first started National Dump the Pump Day in June 2006 when gas prices had reached $3 per gallon and the public demand for public transportation was growing in response to high gas prices. According to the June 10 2015 Transit Savings Report, on the average, an individual in a two-person household can save $9,530 a year when he or she downsizes by one car and takes public transit instead.

“National Dump the Pump Day highlights the many benefits that public transportation brings to individuals and communities,” said Melaniphy. “Besides individual financial savings, public transportation spurs economic growth for towns and cities, and also improves the environment and reduces our nation’s energy consumption.”

From urban to suburban to rural communities, public transportation is a cornerstone of our nation’s economy and local economies. Every dollar invested in public transportation returns four dollars in economic benefits to the community. Additionally, public transportation is an essential factor in creating an economically competitive community that attract new companies, offering new job opportunities to residents.

Public transportation also offers important environmental and energy benefits for communities and for the country. Every year U.S. public transportation use saves 37 million metric tons of carbon emissions and 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline.

“We all win when we use public transportation such as commuter rail or bus rapid transit,” said NRDC Urban Solutions State/Federal Policy & Practice Director Deron Lovaas. “Let’s all dump the pump and get relief from traffic congestion, help achieve energy independence and tackle our climate challenge.”

Some public transportation systems are offering free rides, holding photo contests with Dump the Pump selfies, asking customers to pledge to ride public transportation, or sponsoring customer service events with giveaways. Click on the following links to see the public transportation systems and public and private organization​s​​ that are participating in National Dump the Pump Day on June 18.

“National Dump the Pump Day comes on a perfect day in Chicago, where hundreds of thousands of people will descend on Chicago’s downtown area for a Blackhawk Stanley Cup victory parade and Soldier Field rally,” said Melaniphy.