Regional Transit Agencies Thank Riders and Celebrate Dump the Pump Day 2018

On Thursday, June 21, the Regional Transportation Authority will join the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace Suburban Bus and ADA Paratransit in celebrating the 13th annual Dump the Pump Day, a national initiative that promotes the benefits of public transportation and encourages commuters to leave their cars at home.

The Transit Agencies are proud to partner with Cubic Transportation Systems, the developer of the Ventra fare payment system, to promote “Dump the Pump.” During the morning rush hour on June 21, we will offer a free cup of coffee and mini-donuts from Beaver Coffee and Donuts as a thank you to transit riders who show a Ventra Card, the Ventra mobile app or Metra ticket, while supplies last. There will be trucks at three transit locations. Please check the RTA’s website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for location updates.

That night, the RTA is partnering with the Chicago White Sox to encourage fans to “dump the pump” while heading to the 7:10 p.m. game vs. Oakland. The first 10,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a specially designed T-shirt, presented by the Transit Agencies. Public transportation options for getting to and from Guaranteed Rate Field are available through the RTA Trip Planner.

“More than 60 percent of those who work in and around Chicago’s Loop take public transit to get there,” said Leanne Redden, RTA executive director. “On Dump the Pump Day, we celebrate those regular riders and those who don’t usually ride our system, asking them all to ‘dump the gas pump’ for at least one day!”

Started by the American Public Transportation Association in June 2006, Dump the Pump Day promotes public transit as a convenient travel option that:

• Saves riders money – On average, a two-person household in the RTA region can save more than $11,000 annually by downsizing to one car.
• Fosters economic growth – Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, and a total of 87% of trips on public transit have a direct impact on the local economy. In the first year after the CTA Morgan station opened, the number of business licenses and construction permits doubled and weekday ridership increased by more than 40 percent.
• Reduces the carbon footprint – Public transportation use in the United States reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.
• Decreases gasoline consumption – Public transportation use in the United States saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually. In the RTA region, public transit saves rush-hour drivers $400 a year by reducing the number of cars on the road.
• Is a safer way to travel than by automobile – A person can reduce his or her chance of being in an accident by more than 90% simply by taking public transit as opposed to commuting by car.