In response to rising gas prices, Monterey-Salinas Transit has announced today that it will participate in National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 21 st to encourage residents to leave their vehicles home and use public transit.

Monterey-Salinas Transit will join with other public transportation systems throughout California and the nation to demonstrate that public transit offers the quickest and easiest alternative to the high cost of driving. National Dump the Pump Day is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a non-profit association of more than 1,600 member organizations, including almost 400 public transit agencies.

“With gasoline prices at record levels and still climbing, many Americans are finding that mobility is becoming increasingly unaffordable,” said Carl Sedoryk, Monterey Salinas Transit General Manager/CEO. “Public transit is the quickest way to beat high gas prices.”

According to a study released this year by APTA, last year Americans saved 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline using transit, or the equivalent of filling 300,000 cars per day. In the year between July 2005 and June 2006, Monterey-Salinas Transit saved the equivalent of over 548,200 gallons of fuel.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has estimated that in 2007, the cost of owning and operating a car that travels 15,000 miles per year averages over $7,800.  The cost of a non-discounted MST bus pass for all zones is $1,440 a year.  As gasoline prices have increased, Monterey Salinas Transit has seen a significant increase in ridership. In 2006, ridership jumped 4.7% over the same period in 2005.

Monterey Salinas Transit provides many ways for residents and visitors to get around town conveniently and save gas money. Along with our regular bus routes, MST also operates the free MST Trolley that makes stops in downtown Monterey, Fisherman’s Wharf, and at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Line 24 Grapevine Express goes to destinations throughout the Carmel Valley, and the Line 22 Big Sur provides a comfortable way for visitors and locals alike to appreciate the vistas along a particularly scenic route. MST’s DART service provides additional links to many civic, business and visitor destinations at times convenient to the rider. For more information about “Dump the Pump Day” or any of the Monterey Salinas Transit routes, contact MST toll free at 1-888-MST-BUS1 or visit MST Online at www.mst.org.