LONGVIEW, TEXAS (KYTX) The good news is that gas prices are down. The better news is that transportation is free - at least it will be Thursday in Longview. It's part of the city's Dump the Pump day.
Dump The Pump Day is actually a national campaign designed to get drivers to forget their cars and instead save their cash. You can hop on board Longview's transit system and this Thursday that bus ride is FREE!
Misty Houtt can't drive a car because of a medical condition. Without Longview's bus system, getting around town would be difficult. "I'd have to depend on other people and medical transportation which sometimes could take them a very long time," says Misty.
While Misty depends on the bus, the city wants all of us to see the benefits offered by public transportation through the Dump the Pump campaign. "It's an opportunity for us to get new riders and also to thank those that have been consistent riders with Longview transit," says mobility manager Damiya Pentecost.
"We want people to know that they can get to and from jobs, to and from school, to and from entertainment areas. They can get to any of the places that are inside of Longview by using our transit system," says Pentecost.
The main benefit is the cost savings. By opting to pass up the pump, families on average can save an estimated $10,000 a year.
"That's very important to families right now because everyone is looking for ways that they can kind of make some cuts as far as their budget and their expenses and that's just one way to look at making some real changes to your budget," says Pentecost.
Buses run every hour. The city says it's not just cost effective, it's also convenient. "Especially where I live, the buses are very convenient for me," says Misty.
Dump the Pump day in Longview is Thursday. Anyone can ride the city's transit system for FREE. Buses run from 6:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Longview's transit system has been running for 9 years. Ridership has been steadily rising each year. The city is expecting a large turn-out for Thursday's free Dump the Pump day.
http://www.longviewtransit.com/routes.php
