Event highlights using public transportation to avoid high fuel prices

LOS ANGELES - Metrolink, in partnership with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and other public transportation systems across the country, will celebrate the Seventh Annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 21.

National Dump the Pump Day encourages people to ride public transportation as gas prices reach record highs. Public transportation is an economical and enjoyable alternative to driving, especially during this tough economic climate.

The APTA reports a two-person household can save an average of more than $10,000 by using public transportation. Last week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicated the average price of gas in California was $4.21 a gallon. According to the EIA, the price of gas has been over $4 a gallon for 17 consecutive weeks.

This week, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is giving people the opportunity to ride its buses free for one full day if they pledge to "Dump the Pump." Riders can redeem their free coupons to ride any day this week after completing a short survey on OCTA's website.

For more information on National Dump the Pump Day, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com or www.OCTA.net.

ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)

Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 19th year of operation. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county, 512 route-mile network. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the seventh largest based on annual ridership.