Dump the Pump!

Are you spending $10,000 more than you need to on transportation costs every year?

Guy Henderson

Every once in awhile, a statistic comes across our desks here at the MTA that reminds us why being in the public transportation industry is so rewarding – especially when we get to share news that’s really good.

According to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) latest Transit Savings Report, commuters in the Baltimore region can save an average of $10,074 every year when they take public transportation instead of driving to work.

With gas prices rising, that’s a statistic that seems bound to get even better in the coming months and years. Of course, there are lots of other calculations that went into figuring out how commuters can save almost a $1,000 every month You can run the numbers regarding your own personal commuting circumstances by using their Transit Savings Calculator. I did, and as a bicyclist commuter, I save even more.

To celebrate the news and get the word out about the huge value that public transportation offers the riding public – as well as our community in general – APTA has designated Thursday, June 16th as national Dump the Pump Day. As you drive into Downtown Baltimore tomorrow and head for your expensive parking spot, you may see some of our fellow MTA associates out there reminding drivers that kicking our addiction to driving is easy – and not doing so costs a lot more than just the price of gasoline.

Give ‘em a friendly honk, would you? Then give yourself a break next time you have the option to take public transit. You’ll find our transportation options are pretty good at helping you relax while you “save your drive for the office.”