People who pledge online to try public transportation can get a free ride on the OC Bus system on June 20
ORANGE – Gas and car repairs are expensive; taking public transportation is not. So why not just dump the pump?
The Orange County Transportation Authority is encouraging those who live and work in Orange County to Dump the Pump on Thursday, June 20 and take a free ride on OC Bus instead.
Riders who pledge online to ride the OC Bus instead of getting behind the wheel of a car can use the OC Bus mobile ticketing app to get free and unlimited rides on OCTA’s fixed-route bus system for the entire day on June 20.
People can make the pledge and sign up for the free pass online at www.octa.net/DumpthePump.
Dump the Pump Day is marked across the United States as a day when people are encouraged to leave their cars at home for the day and try an alternative way to get to their destinations, by public transit, carpooling, walking or cycling.
"We really hope people will take time to discover the many alternatives to being a single driver behind the wheel of a car," said OCTA Chairman Tim Shaw, also a La Habra Councilman. "It may be just one day, but once somebody sees how easy and convenient it can be to ride public transportation, we believe they will ride again."
As part of Dump the Pump Day, Waze Carpool is also offering free rides for the week – June 17 to June 21 – throughout Orange County.
And Metrolink is offering one free ride on its commuter rail system in Orange County, June 17 through June 20 when people pledge online. The Metrolink pledge and pass can also be accessed at www.octa.net/DumpthePump.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) sponsors Dump the Pump Day for public transportation systems from around the country. The national campaign helps emphasize the benefits of using public transportation for individuals to save money, lessen impacts on the environment and ease traffic congestion by reducing the number of vehicles on the road.
Substantial cost savings are also possible. APTA’s Transit Savings Report published last year indicated that a two-person household can save on average more than $10,000 annually by using one car rather than two.
OCTA is encouraging people to try the convenience of downloading the OC Bus mobile app, and for those who live or work in Huntington Beach and Westminster, and in Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, to try the OC Flex on-demand micro-transit service.
OCTA teamed up with Metrolink and Wahoo’s Fish Taco to promote Dump the Pump Day at the ARTIC station earlier this month and handed out more than 100 vouchers for a free fish taco at Wahoo’s. And every Tuesday is Taco Transit Tuesday, when OC Bus riders can show their valid bus pass and get a free taco with the purchase of a taco at Wahoo’s.
