Government urging drivers to "Dump the Pump"

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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Government urging drivers to "Dump the Pump"

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jun 19, 2008 at 5:27 AM EST

Story Updated: Jun 19, 2008 at 7:04 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — Some government agencies are asking you to park your car today and take public transportation. It's part of a national event called Dump the Pump.

The two goals behind Dump the Pump are for people to come together to beat rising fuel costs. The second is to help save the planet.

WSBT hit the streets of South Bend to find out if it's really something drivers are willing to do.

Dump the Pump is a simple concept.

IDEM Environmental Manager Jim Weingart said people should seek out public transportation.

"Take the bus. Or if a train is available, take the train, or if you have the opportunity, carpool with a friend," he said.

When asked if it's something they would consider doing, drivers had mixed responses.

Shanti Nand drives to work in downtown South Bend every day from her home near State Line Rd. She said she would definitely consider using public transportation, but it's not readily accessible to her.

Francisco Martinez told WSBT he doesn't see the big deal in using public transportation for one day.

"I wouldn't do it," said Martinez. "I would get in my car and drive to work just like any other day."

Aside from drivers dealing with record high gas prices, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management says vehicle emissions are the number one source of air pollutants in Indiana.

Environmental Manager Jim Weingart also said during the last two weeks of June, Hoosiers create more ozone than any other part of the year.

But many local drivers will tell you trading in their car or truck to ride a bike or a bus isn't that easy ... even if it's just for one day.

"For people like me whose job it is to do errands for the company and things like that, it wouldn't always be feasibly possible," explained Brandy Petrowsky.

But some people like Mike Edwards are already doing it every day. A Transpo spokesperson says ridership is up about 10 percent since the beginning of 2008.

"[Taking the bus] takes a little longer," said Edwards. "You've got to transfer and things like that. But I would say overall, especially with the gas prices, it's not a bad way to go."

In South Bend and Mishawaka a Transpo Bus fare is $0.75 each way, or $1.50 for two trips. Those fares will drop you anywhere along a marked route in the two cities. Transfers between buses are free. You can also buy a one month pass for $30.

To figure out how much public transportation could save you, check out the Public Transit Calculator

Dump the Pump is more than just a one day push from the government. I-DEM says drivers are being encouraged to cut back on their time behind the wheel as much as possible. That's something called the Indiana Ozone Knock Out.

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