Free YCAT rides on Dump the Pump Day Thursday

Yuma County residents can park their cars Thursday and ride the bus free as part of the seventh annual National Dump the Pump Day.

The Yuma County Area Transit, commonly known as YCAT, will be giving courtesy rides countywide on all routes, including those in Yuma, San Luis, Somerton, Foothills, Wellton, Cocopah, Fort Yuma, Winterhaven and Gadsden.

The Yuma County Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority, the organization that runs the bus system, hopes residents will try out the newly restructured service while saving on gas money.

“Using transit saves us money, but it also helps clean up the air, and that also saves us money in reduced public health impacts and costs,” John Andoh, transit director, said. “We encourage our passengers to drive less and to walk, bike and use transit.”

YCIPTA is joining with other public transportation systems across the nation and throughout Arizona in celebrating Dump the Pump Day. The slogan for this year is “Dump the Pump. Save Money. Ride Transit.”

The transit authority hopes residents “(won't) worry about the fare, just board and take a seat” on a YCAT bus Thursday.

Sponsored nationally by the American Public Transportation Association, Dump the Pump Day started in June 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon. The day encourages people to ride public transportation and save money, instead of driving a car.

Andoh noted that this day is also a great opportunity to “emphasize that public transportation is a great travel option that also helps people save money.”

He added that, with gas prices reaching nearly $4 this year, saving money is on everyone's minds and public transportation is the quickest way to beat high gas prices.

He pointed to the latest APTA Transit Savings Report that indicates that people in a two-person household can save an average of $10,000 annually by downsizing to one car.

To check out the routes, visit www.ycat.org. For more information on the YCAT transit system, visit the website or call 783-2235.

Mara Knaub can be reached at mknaub@yumasun.com or 539-6856. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSMaraKnaub or on Twitter at @YSMaraKnaub.