Incentives offered to ride public transit instead of a private vehicle on Dump the Pump Day June 21

When you “Dump the Pump” and climb aboard OmniRide public transit on Thursday, June 21, you and a friend could win a free SmarTrip card or a Starbucks gift card!

On June 21, OmniRide will join public transportation systems across the country in marking the 13th annual national Dump the Pump Day. On that day, people are encouraged to ride public transportation instead of driving a private vehicle. Those who travel on public transportation can save money and time and use their commute to read, listen to the latest podcast or catch up on sleep, arriving at work relaxed instead of stressed out from their commute!

All OmniRide express and local passengers are encouraged to tell a friend about the benefits of public transportation and invite that friend to ride with them on June 21.

After riding, the new rider can take a survey on OmniRide’s website to be entered into separate prize drawings. New riders will be entered into a drawing for one of five $20 SmarTrip cards, while the friend who recommended transit will be entered into a drawing for one of five $20 Starbucks gift cards!

“Gas prices have been increasing, and an easy way to save money is to leave the car at home and take transit instead. Even if you use transit only once or twice a week, you’ll save money by not having to fill up your gas tank as often,” said Prince William County Supervisor Ruth Anderson, who chairs the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, which oversees OmniRide’s services.

OmniRide express buses serve popular destinations in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. OmniRide local buses serve neighborhoods in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.

With convenient transfers between the local and express buses, it’s easy to Dump the Pump, says PRTC.

Dump the Pump Day was started by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in June 2006 to promote transit as an alternative to high gas prices. According to APTA, people in a two-person household can save an average of more than $10,134 annually by downsizing to one car.

However, public transportation doesn’t just help people save money, it also helps communities grow and prosper.  For example, for every $1 invested in public transportation, $4 is returned to the economy, according to APTA.

Plan your Dump the Pump commute now and visit PRTCtransit.org to enter the prize drawings!

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), operating as OmniRide, provides express and local bus services as well as ridesharing services in Prince William County, the City of Manassas and the City of Manassas Park. It also co-sponsors Virginia Railway Express in partnership with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.