As gas prices soar, transit agencies say ‘Dump the Pump’

Staff Reports

The Capital Area Rural Transportation System will celebrate National Dump the Pump Day 2022 by offering Free Rides on all CARTS services Friday, June 17th. 

National Dump the Pump Day encourages commuters to forego their cars by using public transportation. The day aims to allow people to save time and money on the soaring gas prices. Moreover, the day also spreads awareness about the depleting fossil fuel resources.

Factors like population growth, urbanization, globalization, and the increased demand/supply issue have led humans to use fossil fuels without thinking about future repercussions. National Dump the Pump Day motivates people to think about the future by using public transport for not just one day, but the days to come.

CARTS delivers transportation tailored specifically for each of the one hundred and sixty-nine communities it serves and provides predictable connections between these rural communities to Greyhound the national intercity bus network, to Capital Metro services and to the metropolitan center of the region. 

CARTS recently launched it’s new on demand transit service in the cities of Bastrop, Taylor, and Lockhart. We are looking to expand into Marble Falls this Fall. We also provide Interurban Coach regional routes from all nine counties in our District into our Eastside Bus Plaza located on Shady Ln. in East Austin.

As well as providing our curb-to-curb Country Bus service that serves the most remote rural locations in our service area. All these services will be FREE on June 17th. 

Riding public transit, when you can, is beneficial in many ways. Economically, it is cost effective – especially with soaring gas prices. It also reduces your stress levels– someone else is driving. And it goes a long way toward helping our environment – it conserves natural resources, reduces air pollution and harmful ozone levels. When it comes to our environment, riding public transit makes a significant difference!