Dump the Pump: the view from Orange County

Nearly 10,000 people downloaded a free bus pass from the Orange County Transportation Authority’s website that was a Dump the Pump promotion, said Joel Zlotnik, a spokesman for the Orange County Transportation Authority. (The number of coupons used will be known in a few days)

For commuters such as Gary Burton, 62, of Huntington Beach, cycling north on Coast Highway and taking in the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean was a good alternative to the automobile.

"It’s the price of gas,” he said, when asked why he opted for his mountain bike. "When you fill up and it costs $60 or $70, you feel that. And, you know, riding a bike isn’t too bad." Burton, Orange County’s former chief financial officer, harnessed his pedal power to make the 12-mile journey to his office in Seal Beach where he works for a private company.

To help get organized, he started making the trip last week. For example, he brought business clothes from home and stored them at work, so he could wear riding gear while on the bike.

On one hand he saves money, but cycling to work takes more time and is arguably less convenient. "It takes me 25 minutes to drive down Coast Highway to work and about 45 minutes on the bike. But it’s healthier."

--David Reyes

Wendy Orozco of Anaheim was a frequent OCTA bus rider but stopped after she got a mid-sized Ford SUV. She heard about this week and decided to support the idea by riding the bus to Santa Ana where she works as an accountant for Latino Health Access.

"I pay about $65 every time I buy gas," Orozco said. "It hurts my budget and my pocket big time." Orozco has been leaving her home earlier for the one-block walk to the bus stop. There is no direct bus route for her, and she must transfer to a second bus to reach her office. The trip took about half an hour compared with about 10 minutes by car on Thursday, she said.

"I did have to walk to the bus stop, but it’s good exercise in the morning though it was very hot and uncomfortable today," she said.

Would she consider transit full time? "I probably would do it more often because it’s more economical. It’s only $3 by bus."

Comments

[Kelly Broberg]

Thank you for writing about this. I took the #60 from Long Beach to Santa Ana all 5 days this week. I’ve been taking the bus once a week for the past 3-4 months, and this has been a good motivator to step it up, especially with the longer days. At least 14 people in my office also tried "dumping the pump" this week.

It does take a little longer than driving, but if you multi-task (read, listen to music/pod casts, knit, whatever) you actually have MORE time. My latest pastime is writing Bus Haiku! www.BusHaiku.com

[Chris]

I just tried to email you and it didn't work, what gives? (Yes the address was spelled correctly)

[Ted Mackey]

It's simple to get people out of their cars, just think a little: elimanate rude and power mad bus drivers, the rude to passengers kind that also pass up passengers at bus stops. Those that do not quell unruly passengers, use in plain site security cameras and 911 panic buttons with signage.
make it socially OK to use mass transit.
Prohibit single pass. autos on the freeways, in city centers. Tax parking lots higher for mass transit support, time traffic lights, Bicycle and scooter riders are people too. Double parking and moving ticket fines for additional support for mass Trans. Do not charge pass. to ride get revenue from auto drivers as mentioned. I could give you a hundred more ideas but it's all so simple, just think a little