Jun 14, 2016
CLEVELAND – With the continued fluctuation of gas prices, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is joining with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the 11th annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 16.
However, RTA is going the extra mile and declaring June National Dump the Pump Month. The slogan this year is Dump the Pump. Ride Public Transit.
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 and to take them where they need to go, instead of driving a car. Started in June 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon, this national day emphasizes that public transportation is a convenient travel option that also helps people save money. According to the April APTA Transit Savings Report, individuals in a two-person household can save an average of more than $9,312 annually by downsizing to one car.
“Public transportation is a cornerstone of local economies in urban, suburban, and rural communities,” said APTA Chair and RTA Board member Valarie J. McCall.
“In fact, public transportation helps to make a community economically prosperous and competitive. Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, powering community growth and revitalization,” she said.
RTA is hosting a number of events and activities throughout the summer to encourage current customers and new riders to ‘Dump the Pump,’ and use public transportation, said RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese.
“Many people take to the road in the summer,” he said, “and RTA’s convenient transportation options allows Greater Clevelander’s to take advantage of the many activities right here on our North Coast.”
Many local events planned
RTA is participating in a busload full of events to raise transit awareness, Calabrese said.
At many of these events, RTA's "street team" of energetic college students will lead interactive games and distribute transit-related prizes.
RTA co-sponsors several major attractions. Included are:
Wade Oval Wednesdays (WOW) -- From 6-9 p.m., more than 5,000 attend this event in the middle of Cleveland's famed cultural district, with live music, family games, food, and sometimes a movie.
Edgewater Live -- From 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, live music, sun, sand and food trucks attract up to 10,000 people to a major beach just west of Downtown Cleveland.
Indians baseball -- Whenever the Tribe has a home game on a Friday or Saturday, RTA sponors a pre-game concert in a special area of the stands.
Parade the Circle -- Held June 11, hundreds of families were entertained by colorful creations, dancing and a parade.
Centennial -- The world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art has a summer full of special events to mark its 100th anniversary.
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