Dump The Pump Day

Rajnandini Roychoudhury
Dec 22, 2023 By Rajnandini Roychoudhury
Originally Published on Mar 18, 2022
Fact-checked by Naman Khanna
Dump The Pump Day is about supporting public transportation.


Where is Dump The Pump Day celebrated?

This day is mainly celebrated in the United States, especially in places like Florida, Chicago, and New Mexico.

Who is Dump The Pump Day celebrated by?

 This day is sponsored by American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

When did Dump The Pump Day first start?

The celebration of this day was initiated in June 2006 on the third Thursday of the month.

Who started Dump The Pump Day?

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is behind starting this day to celebrate public transit.

History And Timeline

There has been a trend in the US of declining riders in the public transportation systems all around the country. This is mainly due to the wide availability of cars. But, it might be detrimental for the environment as well as for those who can't afford a car. So, let's trace the history of people and transport.

First Public Bus Line

Blaise Pascal designed a horse-drawn bus that could be run on the streets of Paris following a schedule, and it became the first public bus line.

1663

Beginnings Of Public Transit

The introduction of omnibus in London and France opened up the gateway to building a proper public transportation system.  

1820s

Start Of Public Railway

George Stephenson was the one to introduce the first public steam train, and its route was between the Stockton and Darlington Railway in the North of England.   

1825

Opening Of NYC Subway

The New York City Subway officially began operating in October 1904 and was inaugurated by George B. McClellan.

1904

Unveiling Of Model T

The Ford Motor Company introduced the Model T, and it became one of the widely used cars in the US of the 20th century.

1908

Traditions And Customs

As an event oriented around public transportation, there are no specific traditions or customs attached to it. But, some public transit systems in states like Chicago, Mexico City, and Florida hold events to bring awareness to people about public transportation and the benefit of using it to save money.

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate Dump The Pump Day

There are several ways to celebrate Dump The Pump Day. On this day, you can ditch your car for a day and use public transportation to save gas money, and choose not to fill gas for the day.

Or, you can take the ultimate decision of narrowing it down to one car if your house has more than one. People who live in a well-connected city can think about taking the bus or train more often to save money.

Facts And Stats

  •  In their Transit Savings Report, APTA estimated that people living in a two-person household could save $10,160 in a year if they use only one car and public transit. This day is about spreading awareness regarding such topics only.
  • The amount of fossil fuel we have may get over in the next hundred years, making this day of high importance.
  • The excess burning of coal is said to cause sulfur dioxide pollution, but you can save the planet by opting for public transport, even for just one day.

What are some important facts about Dump The Pump Day?

Some important facts about the day is that the national day was first celebrated in June 2006, and the slogan for this day is 'Dump the Pump. Ride Transit'.

What are some advantages of celebrating Dump The Pump Day?

The day lets you learn about public transportation present in your area. You can also save money on gas prices by taking public transit and gear towards a healthier future.

What is the history behind this day?

This day was initiated by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to bring awareness about public transportation systems to help the environment.

Does this day help the environment?

When you use public transportation on a daily basis, it helps to limit carbon-dioxide emissions in our environment.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Thursday, June 18, 2020
  • Thursday, June 17, 2021
  • Thursday, June 16, 2022
  • Thursday, June 15, 2023
  • Friday, June 16, 2023
  • Thursday, June 20, 2024

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Written by Rajnandini Roychoudhury

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

Rajnandini Roychoudhury picture

Rajnandini RoychoudhuryBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

With a Master of Arts in English, Rajnandini has pursued her passion for the arts and has become an experienced content writer. She has worked with companies such as Writer's Zone and has had her writing skills recognized by publications such as The Telegraph. Rajnandini is also trilingual and enjoys various hobbies such as music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading classic British literature. 

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Fact-checked by Naman Khanna

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Naman Khanna picture

Naman KhannaBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

An English literature graduate from Delhi University, Naman's broad interests include mathematics, science, and social science. With his knowledge and expertise in multiple subjects, he is an asset to our fact-checking team. Naman is set to pursue his postgraduate degree in English literature soon.

Read full bio >