Try Transit Week Sept. 21-25

Virginians can go to trytransitweek.org and pledge to try a form of public transportation during the seventh annual statewide Try Transit Week. Participants who pledge to try transit are automatically entered for a chance to win a year of free transit service from the Virginia transit operator of their choice, along with a pair of round-trip tickets aboard Amtrak’s Northeast Regional train. Pledges will be accepted through Sept. 25.

Try Transit Week, which takes place Sept. 21-25, is a week-long, educational event designed to encourage Virginians to reduce their use of single-occupancy vehicles and try a form of public transportation such as vanpool, bus, rail, or ferry.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is working with transit operators across the Commonwealth to spread the word about the accessibility of transit and the benefits of using it. Passengers who use public transportation not only save time and money, but they can work, read, listen to music and text while traveling, arriving at their destinations stress- and hassle-free.

“As our population expands and congestion grows in the Commonwealth, so does the demand for alternate modes of transportation,” says Jennifer Mitchell, Director of Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation.  “Each year, we see more people elect to leave the car at home and use public transportation to get to places like work, a restaurant, a doctor’s office – all while avoiding the hassle of driving through traffic.  This September, we invite those who have yet to use transit to experience how they can save time, gas, and money during Try Transit Week.” 

World Car Free Day also falls during Try Transit Week. On September 22, 2015, motorists are encouraged to give up their cars for a day and use alternate modes of travel.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, the average household spends 18 cents of every dollar on transportation, and 94% of that goes to common car expenses. Relying on public transit as compared to the family car helps reduce these expenses, saving the average family up to $10,000 a year.

In addition to the many benefits of using public transportation, if you pledge to try transit between Sept. 21-25, you will be automatically entered in a contest to win one year of free transit from the transit operator of your choice and a pair of tickets on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional. See trytransitweek.org for contest rules and regulations. Visit trytransitweek.org to learn more about the event and to enter your pledge.