Cherriots Taking Part in Dump the Pump Day June 8th

National Dump the Pump Day is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, a non-profit association of more than 1,600 member organizations, including almost 400 public transit agencies.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Cherriots will join with other public transportation systems throughout the country to highlight that public transit offers a quick, easy alternative to the high cost of driving.

"With gasoline prices at record levels, many Oregonians are having to change their transit habits," said John Whittington, Director of Transit Development.

"By using public transportation on a regular basis, a person can save hundreds of dollars in fuel costs per year," Whittington said. "Those savings could be added back into household budgets to meet necessities, pay off bills, or just have fun," Whittington added.

As gasoline prices have increased, public transit systems across the U.S. are seeing an increase in ridership. In Salem/Keizer, Cherriots ridership is up 5 - 10% than expected over the past several months.

Transit Facts For National Dump The Pump Day:

Since January 2003, gas prices have increased by 100 percent.

By using public transportation to commute to work, a person can save between $300 and $3,000 in fuel costs per year.

By getting rid of a car, and using transit instead to commute to work, a person would save between $3,300 and $11,100 annually.

Transit use saves more than 855 million gallons of gasoline every year.

These gasoline savings are equal to more than twice the energy consumed by the U.S. apparel industry, or half the energy burned by the U.S. paper pulp industry or by all U.S. manufacturers of computers and electronic equipment.

If Americans used public transportation for roughly ten percent of daily travel needs, the United States would reduce its dependence on imported oil from the Persian Gulf by more than 40 percent.

During the past 10 years, U.S. public transportation use has grown by 25.1% -- at a faster rate than highway travel (22.5%).