FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Transit App Partnership, Improved On-Time Performance Tie in with Annual “Dump the Pump” Take Transit

BALTIMORE, MD (JUNE 21, 2018) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) offers more reasons than ever to take transit and “dump the pump.”  The national Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 21 is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and highlights public transportation as a convenient travel option that also help people save money.  Dump the Pump Day also coincides with celebration of the one-year of the launch of BaltimoreLink.

“We are focused on giving our riders more reasons than ever to ‘dump the pump,’” said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. “Not only does it make good financial sense to take transit, but with the launch of our new Transit app partnership, its highly accurate bus arrival information and improved reliability, we’re taking transit to the next level.”

Quinn noted recent APTA studies which show that taking public transportation makes sense when it comes to saving money. The average annual savings is $10,160 for a person who gives up a car and switches his or her daily commute to taking public transportation, according to APTA’s June Transit Savings Report. Individuals who ride public transportation instead of driving can save, on average, more than $847 per month.

These savings are based on the cost of commuting by public transportation compared to the cost of owning and driving a vehicle. Driving costs include the June 6, 2018, national average gas price ($2.94 per gallon, as reported by AAA) and the national unreserved monthly parking rate.  

MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates LocalLink and commuter buses, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, MARC Train service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mdot.maryland.gov or mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.

Media Contact:
Veronica Battisti                                  
Office: 410-767-8748                                        
Cell: 410-598-4168                                                            
vbattisti@mta.maryland.gov                             

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