Laketran will join with public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the 7th annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 21. The slogan of this year’s National Dump the Pump Day is “Dump the Pump. Save Money. Ride Transit.”

Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) the 2012 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation and save money, instead of driving a car. 

“Dump the Pump Day started in 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon, which initially shocked the nation. It’s now even more shocking that we consider $3.50 a gallon a deal. Transportation accounts for almost 16 percent of a family’s budget, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report. This includes car payments, maintenance, gas, and insurance. Driving a car is becoming more expensive and switching to public transportation is the quickest way to save money,” states Julia Schick Laketran’s director of marketing, “and people are making the switch.”

Laketran has had eleven consecutive months of ridership increases and the ridership from January to May of 2012 has increased 7.4 percent compared to the same months in 2011.

WHAT: Laketran’s Dump the Pump Celebration

WHERE: Painesville Farmers Market, 177 Main Street, Painesville, OH 44077 – along Routes 1, 4, or 5

WHEN: Thursday, June 21 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

EVENT DETAILS: Laketran, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), City of Painesville and Lake County General Health District, along with other community partners will promote cost-saving transportation options including public transit, biking, safe pedestrian travel, and carpooling. People who ride Laketran on Thursday, June 21 are encouraged to stop by the event with proof you rode the bus that day (ask the driver for a transfer ticket) and Laketran will enter you to receive a $50 Giant Eagle gift card. There will be live entertainment (3:30-5:30), prizes, gift certificates for the farmers market and more!