Every June, OCTA encourages those who drive alone to try public transportation for just one week. And this year, the response from Orange County residents was truly over the top.
Nearly 1,400 pledged to Dump the Pump, about 500 more than the year before. One measure of success is the number of miles saved, representing miles not driven by a single person in a single vehicle. From June 16 to 20, participants saved nearly 180,000 miles, lessened traffic congestion by taking cars off the road, and reduced air pollution.
Here’s a snapshot of the Orange County travelers who responded to the pledge challenge. A little more than a third (38 percent) said they usually drive alone. Nearly half (45 percent) participated all five days. Carpool, bike, and bus were the favored alternative transportation modes followed by train and vanpool.
