JTA Encourages Drivers to Dump the Pump and Ride Public Transit

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has announced that it will join other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the eleventh annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 16.

Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2016 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation instead of driving a car.

Riding public transportation is a great alternative to driving, and will help save money.

According to the April APTA Transit Savings Report, individuals in a two-car household can save an average of more than $9,312 annually by downsizing to one car. Public transportation drives community growth and revitalization. It can improve personal mobility and access to job opportunities for millions of Americans. Nearly 60 percent of trips taken on public transit are work commutes.

Public transportation use in the United States reduces our nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually. This is equivalent to Washington, DC; New York City; Atlanta; Denver; and Los Angeles combined stopping the use of electricity. A single commuter switching his or her commute to public transportation can reduce a household’s carbon emissions by 10 percent and up to 30 percent if he or she eliminates a second car.