On the third Thursday in June, National Dump the Pump Day encourages people to leave their car at home. Here are just a few of the reasons why it could also be a good idea for the UK to take part and why other European countries are starting to take part.
What is National Dump the Pump Day?
Launched in 2006, National Dump the Pump Day is an initiative popularised in the US but now spreading across Europe to encourage people to leave their cars at home for a day and find alternative ways to travel. It takes place every year on the third Thursday in June. Not only can it benefit the environment and your bank account, but it could also help to reduce congestion and inspire people to ditch your car and choose to use public transport more often.
What are the benefits of dumping the pump?
While it’s not yet a well-known day in the UK, there are a wide range of potential advantages to adopting National Dump the Pump Day from personal perspective and are here to cover a few of these:
1. Save money
With fuel prices in constant fluctuation – and recently reaching record highs – comparing the cost of a full tank of fuel compared to taking the same trip on the bus could be an eye-opening exercise.
The American Public Transit Association (APTA) reports that US citizens who switch their daily commute from driving to using public transport could save over $10,000 a year. In the UK, your annual savings could look similar. A recent Stagecoach survey found that the average cost of a car journey in a diesel or petrol car has increased by 32% and 30% respectively since 2015. This means that petrol car drivers could save more than £350 a month by choosing to invest in a monthly bus pass instead of driving, while diesel drivers could save £505.
You could also cut the cost of one-off journeys. Many bus operators in the UK are participating in the Get Around for £2 scheme until December 2024, where a single fare costs £2 or less. Compare this to the average price of £3.54 for two hours parking in England and you’re already saving money, even before the cost of fuel, insurance, and potential wear and tear to your car are considered.
2. Protect the environment
Petrol and diesel cars are some of the biggest causes of pollution in the UK. They impact air quality – especially in inner cities – and contribute to global warming. Adopting Dump the Pump Day could help; in the US it is believed to contribute to 37 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas savings.
Using public transport instead of driving to work could reduce CO2 emissions by 45% while taking the bus for each journey instead of getting behind the wheel could lead to the average person lowering their CO2 emissions by almost 10kg each time.
Travelling by train is even more environmentally friendly. Trains are the public transport type with the lowest emissions and a study by Trainline found that choosing to take the train rather than driving could reduce CO2 emissions by 67%.
3. Boost the economy
Supporting public transport could also help to encourage the government to invest in this sector, potentially stimulating the economy and providing jobs. The TUC predicts that increased investment in UK public transport could unlock a £50bn a year boost to the economy and create 140,000 new jobs. The data also shows that cutting car use by just 20% could vastly improve people’s quality of life, enhancing their productivity, which in turn will also help the economy.
4. Improve your mental and physical health
It’s not just your bank balance that could benefit from taking part in Dump the Pump Day. When you choose an alternative way to travel rather than driving, you could unlock health advantages that boost both your mental and physical health. Driving can be stressful, especially when you’re stuck in stop-start traffic during rush hour. In fact, a study by Women’s Health found that getting stuck in traffic increases short-term stress levels.
It can also be a time waste. When you’re driving, that’s the only thing that can – and should – occupy your mind. You need to concentrate on the road and other road users to stay safe. Then, you need to park. A survey by INRIX reported that the average person spends 44 hours a year searching for a parking space. Switching to public transport instead could provide an opportunity to switch off, relax, catch up on your reading, or get ahead on your work to-do list.
The health benefits can be even greater if you choose to cycle or walk instead of driving. Not only can this be a great way of getting your recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise, but it could also help you get out in the fresh air, clear your mind, and avoid the potential stress that can come with crowds.
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