One ride can make a difference: Dump the pump for public transit (Voices)

June 15 is Dump the Pump Day, which encourages individuals to try alternative modes of transport than private vehicles. Options like public transit, cycling, or even walking, are reliable, safe, and affordable. It is my hope that beyond June 15, people in our community will consider these modes a more regular habit — maybe even making RTC Washoe bus service their method of choice for getting around.

With gas prices still higher than before the pandemic, dumping the pump is an easy way to save money. In fact, according to the American Public Transportation Association, “a household can save nearly $10,000 by taking public transportation and living with one less car.”

At Keolis, our transit operators see every day the critical role the bus plays in our riders’ lives. Residents and visitors are empowered to be more personally and financially independent with transit use, whether they’re going to the doctor, running errands or commuting to and from work.

APTA research shows that communities which invest in public transit reduce carbon emissions by as much as 63 million metric tons annually. Reno and Sparks residents have the opportunity to move that needle in a bigger way while alleviating other congestion issues.

Dumping the pump for the day is a good way to put money back in your pocket, but — surprisingly — it’s also a great way to support our budding commercial and retail districts as the area meets the needs of a growing population. Research has also found that transit users spend as much or more than patrons who arrive by car.

In Reno’s MidTown District, where parking is sometimes a challenge, taking the bus with friends for a shopping trip or a night out can minimize the stress of finding space to park while also ensuring you have a reliable and sober ride home. In other areas of town, when event season kicks into high gear, transit users can avoid traffic, looking for parking, and the expense of parking by taking the bus. It’s an affordable (and air-conditioned!) way to visit some of our area’s most popular events: the Reno Rodeo, Artown, Hot August Nights, the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, the Great Reno Balloon Race, and more.

Plenty of Reno and Sparks residents already understand how simple and efficient the bus system can be, but I’d like to encourage more individuals to replace even just one car trip on June 15. Consider that almost one-third of all car trips are for distances of less than one mile and half of all car trips are less than three miles. A mile walk is 20 minutes and a leisurely bike ride takes between nine and 13 minutes. The three mile bus trip between downtown Reno and Centennial Plaza is 15 minutes.

Keolis prioritizes four pillars: partners, planet, passengers and people. We endeavor to work well with the entities that advance public transit in the region, work to ensure we are minimizing our impact to the planet, and go to bat for both our passengers and our teams.

In advance of Dump the Pump Day, we hope to encourage more Northern Nevadans to try the bus — even just once — to see how easy it can be to go to bat for the planet by leveraging public transit themselves. Your ride will make a difference.

Philip Pumphrey is the general manager of Reno operations at Keolis North America, which provides safe, reliable mobility services to millions of people every year. Learn more at www.keolisna.com.