Dump the Pump is This Week! | Regional Transportation Authority

This Thursday, June 21, the RTA will join the CTA, Metra and Pace in celebrating the 13th annual Dump the Pump Day, a national initiative that promotes the benefits of public transportation and encourages commuters to leave their cars at home.

The Transit Agencies are proud to partner with Cubic Transportation Systems, the developer of the Ventra™ fare payment system, to promote Dump the Pump. During the morning rush hour on June 21, we will offer a free cup of coffee and mini-donuts from Beaver Coffee and Donuts as a thank you to transit riders who show a Ventra Card, the Ventra mobile app or Metra ticket, while supplies last. There will be trucks at three transit locations:

Near Ogilvie Transportation Center (corner of W. Madison St. and N. Upper Wacker Dr., Chicago)
CTA Roosevelt Station (1167 S. State St., Chicago)
Rosemont Blue Line/ Bus Terminal – Circular Drive (5801 North River Rd., Rosemont)

That night, the RTA is partnering with the Chicago White Sox to encourage fans to “dump the pump” while heading to the 7:10 p.m. game vs. Oakland. The first 10,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a specially designed T-shirt, presented by the Transit Agencies. Public transportation options for getting to and from Guaranteed Rate Field are available through the RTA Trip Planner.

White Sox T-Shirt

Started by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in June 2006, Dump the Pump Day promotes public transit as a convenient travel option that:

Saves riders money – On average, a two-person household in the RTA region can save more than $11,000 annually by downsizing to one car.
Fosters economic growth – Every $1 invested in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, and a total of 87% of trips on public transit have a direct impact on the local economy. In the first year after the CTA Morgan station opened, the number of business licenses and construction permits doubled and weekday ridership increased by more than 40 percent.
Reduces the carbon footprint – Public transportation use in the United States reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.
Decreases gasoline consumption – Public transportation use in the United States saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually. In the RTA region, public transit saves rush-hour drivers $400 a year by reducing the number of cars on the road.
Is a safer way to travel than by automobile – A person can reduce his or her chance of being in an accident by more than 90% simply by taking public transit as opposed to commuting by car.

More than 60 percent of those who work in and around Chicago’s Loop take public transit to get there. On Dump the Pump Day, we want to celebrate those regular riders and those who don’t usually ride our system, asking them all to “dump the gas pump” for at least one day!