POTTSVILLE - The Schuylkill Transportation System (STS) announced that it will join other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the fifth annual National Dump the Pump Day on June 17. All riders of the STS fixed route system will ride free that day.

The 2010 National Dump the Pump Day, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation to save money, protect the environment, reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil, and improve the quality of life."People who use public transportation are helping to meet economic challenges for themselves, our county, our state and nation. That's why we're offering a free ride to encourage more people to join our regular riders and dump the pump on June 17," said Mike Micko, vice president for Public Transportation Services. "By participating in Dump the Pump Day, we hope people who have never used STS will decide to give us a try instead of driving their car. Everyone will have the opportunity to ride STS fixed route buses all day at no cost."Riding public transit is the quickest way to beat rising gas prices.The latest APTA Transit Savings Report shows that a two-car household that downsizes to one car can save on the average more than $9,000 a year.