Laketran joins other public transportation in 7th annual National Dump the Pump Day

PAINESVILLE, Ohio - Laketran is joining with other public transportation in the 7th annual National Dump the Pump Day.

This year's slogan is "Dump the Pump. Save Money. Ride Transit."

The 2012 National Dump the Pump Day encourages people to ride public transportation and save money, instead of driving a car.

"Transportation accounts for almost 16 percent of a family's budget, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report. This includes car payments, maintenance, gas, and insurance. Driving a car is becoming more expensive and switching to public transportation is the quickest way to save money," said Julia Schick, Laketran's director of marketing in a news release. "People are making the switch."

Laketran has had 11 consecutive months of ridership increases and the ridership from January to May of 2012 has increased 7.4 percent compared to the same months in 2011.

A celebration will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Painesville Farmers Market on Main Street.

Community partners will promote cost-saving transportation options including public transit, biking, safe pedestrian travel, and carpooling.

The celebration includes live entertainment, prizes, gift certificates for the farmers market and more.