As America’s economic challenges continue, Monterey-Salinas Transit announced that it will join with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the fourth annual National Dump the Pump Day on June 18. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2009 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation to save money, protect the environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and improve our quality of life.

“America is facing a number of significant economic challenges right now,” said MST General Manager/CEO Carl Sedoryk. “People that use public transportation are helping to answer those challenges for themselves and for their country. That’s why we’re asking people to join us and dump the pump on June 18.”

Individuals can achieve an average annual savings of over $8,000 by taking public transportation instead of driving and by living with one less car. And for every $1 invested in public transportation infrastructure, $6 is generated in economic returns to communities.

“Public transportation also has an important role to play in the energy and environmental debate,” said Sedoryk. “If you leave your car behind to take public transportation, you will be helping to reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy and combat climate change.”

Public transportation saves 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day – 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline per year. And switching to public transportation can reduce individual carbon emissions by 20 pounds per day or 4,800 pounds per year.

“By participating in Dump the Pump Day, we hope people who have never used Monterey-Salinas Transit will decide to give us a try instead of driving their car,” said Sedoryk.

“With the economic downturn affecting everyone, now is the time to save money and ride public transportation,” said APTA President William W. Millar. “The National Dump the Pump Day on June 18 is an opportunity for people across the country to ease the strain on their wallets and provide a more secure future for America.”

For more information call Monterey-Salinas Transit toll free at 1-888-MST-BUS1.