On Thursday, Schuylkill Transportation System riders can save cash by taking a fare-free fixed bus route in celebration of National Dump the Pump Day.
Normally, the base fare for a ride is $1.40. A transfer is 25 cents.
“It’s free all day. They can ride it as many times as they want,” Gary Martinaitis, director of operations for STS, said Tuesday.
The 10 fixed bus routes will be to Shenandoah, Minersville, Schuylkill Haven, Middleport, Mahanoy City, Ashland, Port Carbon/Saint Clair, McAdoo/Tamaqua, the Pottsville loop and the Pottsville quick route. The first bus departs Union Station at 6:30 a.m. going to Shenandoah. The last buses leaves the station at 5:10 p.m. to Shenandoah, Minersville, Middleport and Schuylkill Haven.
Nationally, this is the 11th annual event. Dump the Pump Day was started by the American Public Transportation Association to highlight the benefits of public transportation.
Last year, 1,169 riders used STS during the event, Joan Breslin, marketing and service support coordinator for STS, said.
“Give it a try on Dump the Pump Day,” Martinaitis said.
All buses are handicapped accessible and have air conditioning.
“Using public transportation is the quickest way to beat high gas prices and saves the United States 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually. That’s why we are offering free rides to encourage more people to join our regular riders and dump the pump on June 16, “ Dave Bekisz, executive director of STS, said in a statement.
Mike Trosper Sr., who drives the Minersville bus and has been driving for 10 years, said people enjoy the chance to save some money and visit places they need to go or have not been before.
Dolores Adams, Pottsville, was riding the bus Tuesday after a vehicle accident left her without a car. She thinks people will appreciate the opportunity to ride the fixed routes for free Thursday.
The Schuylkill County commissioners also encouraged people to ride the fixed route buses.
“Public transportation is an important part of our nation’s transportation system and provides citizens with travel options other than driving a car because where public transportation goes, communities grow and prosper,” the commissioners said in a statement.
The American Public Transportation Association said Americans took 10.6 billion trips on public transportation in 2015, with nearly 60 percent of those for work commute. Public transportation use in the nation reduces carbon emissions by 37 metric tons each year. For more information, visit www.apta.com.