June 18 is National Dump the Pump Day
MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION::
| Adam Shaivitz | Erica McKewen |
| (512) 369-6027 | (512) 369-6085 |
| (512) 844-5153 cell | (512) 401-7665 cell |
June 18 is National Dump the Pump Day
Capital Metro's Challenge: Maximize your 'Green' June 16, 2009NEWS FACTS
- National Dump the Pump Day is Thursday, June 18, and Capital Metro challenges everyone in Central Texas to be even greener by taking advantage of the environmental, health and monetary benefits of using public transportation.
- Riding Capital Metro provides a greater return on investment for the environment than many everyday 'green' activities, such as recycling or turning off the lights.
- For example, you'd have to use 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper for the next 45-48 years (between 450,000 and 480,000 sheets) to make the same positive effect on the environment as riding Capital Metro to work for a single year.
Dump the Pump Pre-Event
Capital Metro staff will be at the North Lamar Transit Center on Wednesday, June 17, to demonstrate just how voluminous 480,000 sheets of paper are and how much easier it would be to maximize your 'green' by taking the bus.
| Who: | Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority and EcoShoppe |
| What: | National Dump the Pump Day Pre-Party Photo Op |
| Where: | North Lamar Transit Center, 8001 U.S. 183 |
| When: | Wednesday, June 17, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. |
| Photo opps: | EcoShoppe-wrapped Capital Metro hybrid bus and 480,000 sheets of copy paper |
| Interviews: | Capital Metro staff and customers |
Austin Dump the Pump Day Activities
Capital Metro, along with hundreds of transit systems across the country are encouraging Americans to dump the pump this summer to help save money and our environment (For more information about national activities, visit http://www.apta.com/media/releases/090615_dtp.cfm.)
| Who: | Capital Metro staff, operators and riders |
| When: | June 18, 2009 |
| What: | National Dump the Pump Day bag exchange: Riders can exchange five plastic grocery bags to be recycled for a reusable Capital Metro bag beginning at 6:30 a.m., while supplies last. |
| Where: | North Lamar Transit Center (8001 U.S. 183) and the South Congress Transit Center (301 W. Ben White) |
| What else: | Capital Metro is also sponsoring a photo contest: email a photo of yourself riding Capital Metro on Dump the Pump Day to dumpthepump@capmetro.org. Twenty winners will be selected at random to win eco-friendly Capital Metro windbreakers, and one grand-prize winner will receive a $200 gift certificate to EcoShoppe. Full contest details and rules available at www.capmetro.org/dumpthepump.asp. |
| Why: | In addition to increasing your environmental stewardship, riding Capital Metro also maximizes the 'green' in your wallet-a person who rides the bus to work instead of driving can save $1,000 or more per year. |
MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS
QUOTES
- "If you're serious about being green, you should be riding Capital Metro. It's easy, cost-effective, and offers a big environmental bang for the buck. With 134 bus routes, our RideShare vanpools, and soon, MetroRail, there's likely a convenient route near you."
-- Fred Gilliam, Capital Metro President/CEO
ABOUT CAPITAL METRO Capital Metro's mission is to provide quality public transportation choices for our community that meet the needs of our growing region. With the highest per capita ridership in Texas, Capital Metro serves more than 3,000 bus stops with metro, flyer and express routes, downtown `Dillo circulator routes and UT Shuttle service. Capital Metro also provides MetroAccess service for passengers with disabilities, van and carpool coordination, and freight rail service.
Capital MetroRail is a new passenger rail system expected to begin soon between the City of Leander and the Convention Center in Downtown Austin. MetroRail is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan that includes expanded local and express bus service, MetroRapid bus service, and new and improved park and ride lots. For more information, including an online trip planner and a commute cost calculator, visit www.capmetro.org or call (512) 474-1200.
SAFETY TIP OF THE DAY
As a bus approaches, be sure you are standing away from the street - and never, ever
try to catch a moving bus.
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Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200