National Dump the Pump Day Date in the current year: June 20, 2024

National Dump the Pump Day was launched in 2006 by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), but some European countries have begun celebrating it too over the past few years. The APTA is a nonprofit organization representing all modes of public transportation in the United States and more than 320 public transit agencies. The main purpose of the observance is to show people that public transport is a convenient travel option that has a lot of perks.

What are the benefits of ditching your car on National Dump the Pump Day? First and foremost, it is cost-saving. With the fuel cost on the rise, you can save quite a lot of money if you switch your daily commute from driving to using public transport. It also reduces wear and tear on your car. Using public transport instead of driving is also good for the environment because it helps reduce CO2 emissions and air pollution.

Supporting public transport also encourages investment in this sector and helps boost local economy. In other words, the more people use public transport, the better it will become. Every dollar invested by communities in public transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns. Investments in public transport create jobs, increase property values along public transportation routes, reduce road congestion and emissions, and provide personal mobility and freedom to all people in the community, including those who cannot afford a car or cannot drive.

Not driving for a day can also be surprisingly beneficial for your mental health. Driving can be stressful, especially when you’re stuck in traffic, can’t find a parking space, or haven’t slept enough. Switching to public transport may provide an opportunity to relax for a little bit and mentally prepare for the day ahead of you instead of concentrating on driving, catch up on reading or podcast, go through your schedule or to-do list, etc.

Sadly, not all places have a good public transportation system, which is quite a problem in some parts of the United States. Still, there are alternative modes of transportation you can try to save money and reduce your carbon footprint: you can carpool with friends or family, bike or even walk to your destination (and reflect on how often your first instinct is to hop into your car even if the distance is walkable). If you absolutely cannot do without your car, make sure to choose the best route in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and re-think the way you travel on a daily basis in order to use your personal vehicle more efficiently in the future.

And don’t forget to encourage your friends to participate in National Dump the Pump Day and spread the word about the campaign on social media with the hashtags #NationalDumpThePumpDay and #DumpThePumpDay.