News Release

Omnitrans Riders to ‘Sign-On’ to Save Money and the Planet During the 3rd Annual National ‘Dump the Pump’ Day

Riders will add their signatures to the side of a hybrid coach at the June 19 event celebrating the value and environmental benefits of public transit

SAN BERNARDINO, CA - With high gas prices on everyone’s mind, Omnitrans announced today that it will join with dozens of other public transportation agencies nationwide to participate in the third annual National ‘Dump the Pump Day’ on June 19.

Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2008 National Dump the Pump Day is designed to encourage people to ride public transportation to save money, conserve gasoline, and help reduce greenhouse gases.

“With fares starting at $1.35, Omnitrans’ reliable and affordable service is the quickest way to beat high gas prices,” said Durand Rall, CEO of Omnitrans. “With a tank of gas costing over $60, we are encouraging folks to ‘dump the pump’ and ride Omnitrans on June 19.”

For an extra incentive, Omnitrans will offer Dump the Pump Day free ride coupons inserted into local Sunday newspapers on June 15, to encourage commuters to give transit a try on June 19, according to Omnitrans Marketing Director Wendy Williams. Coupons also may be downloaded from the agency website: www.omnitrans.org.

To celebrate Dump the Pump Day, Omnitrans is inviting the public to sign the side of one of its environmentally-friendly electric/gasoline hybrid coaches – the first in the nation to be put into service in 2002 – as it makes morning stops at transit centers in San Bernardino, Fontana and Montclair. The agency mascot, Buster will be along to offer promotional giveaways on the following schedule:

• 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.: San Bernardino TransCenter (Court & E)
  • Omnitrans Board of Directors Member and San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris to Participate (approximately 7:00 a.m.)
  • KGGI Radio on-site
• 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Fontana TransCenter
  • Omnitrans Board of Directors Chair and Fontana Councilmember John B. Roberts, Jr. to Participate
• 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Montclair TransCenter

Dump the Pump event attendees also will have an opportunity to sample Omnitrans’ free new online trip planning feature with Google Transit. Omnitrans is the first Inland transit agency to partner with Google to provide the service, which combines Omnitrans bus schedules and routes with Google’s detailed street maps and satellite imagery to create a step-by-step itinerary for riders to follow to reach their destinations by Omnitrans.

“Public transportation plays an important role in helping to reduce greenhouse gases, and we think our riders will be proud to add their names to one of our environmentally friendly hybrids to show their concern for our planet,” said Rall. “If you leave your car behind to take public transportation, you will be helping to combat climate change.”

Households with two workers and one car that use public transportation save $6,200 every year, compared to a household with no access to public transportation, according to national statistics from APTA.

According to a new study by ICF International titled Broadening the Connection between Public Transportation and Energy Conservation, public transportation reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually – equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households.

Nearly 95 percent of Omnitrans’ fleet of 173 coaches operate on cleaner-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) or are electric/gasoline hybrid vehicles. Studies by the California Air Resources Board show the use of CNG vehicles significantly reduce smog-producing emissions, over and above even other alternatively-fueled vehicles.

Omnitrans' CNG coaches release 88 percent less particulate matter per mile than traditionally-fueled diesel buses.

By participating in Dump the Pump Day, Omnitrans’ officials hope to introduce more Inland residents, businesses, commuters and students to its reliable, convenient and affordable service.

A number of Inland Valley businesses, including Ashley Furniture, the Defense Media Center of Riverside, E.D.D. Disability Insurance, Patton State Hospital, and the Superior Court of San Bernardino, have committed to partnering with Omnitrans to encourage their employees to Dump the Pump by distributing information and incentives.

“We hope people who have never used Omnitrans will decide to give us a try instead of driving their car on Dump the Pump Day,” said John Roberts, chairman of Omnitrans Board of Directors. “We will welcome new riders and thank our regular riders during our special signing event on national Dump the Pump Day.”

“With gas prices higher than ever and financial concerns affecting everyone, now is the time to save money and ride public transportation,” said APTA President William W. Millar. “The National Dump the Pump Day on June 19 is an opportunity for people across the country to make a difference in their wallet, as well as in the environment.”

Founded in 1976, Omnitrans is the public transit agency serving fifteen cities and the unincorporated areas of the Inland Valley of San Bernardino County in Southern California. Omnitrans currently operates 35 fixed bus routes in a 480-square-mile area, and provides OmniLink and Access demand-response service. The agency’s accolades include two Outstanding Transit System of its size awards from the American Public Transportation Association, and twelve safety awards from the National Safety Council.