BART to Give Away Free Rides on Dump the Pump Day

By Jeff Sandstoe Mon., Jun. 18 2012 at 1:45 PM

Categories: Public Transit

One thing BART is good at: Bribing you

Park your car on Thursday because BART will be handing out free rides to commuters. And although we know that you're thinking this just has to be a PR ploy to make nice with passengers after last week's irritating commuting chaos -- it's not.

BART's hoping to bribe some drivers this Thursday with a free ride to work on Dump the Pump Day. Who wants to pay for gas, anyway?

The seventh annual holiday is meant to show drivers that riding the transit system is all around better for you, your pocketbook, and the air you breathe.

Here's how it works: If you're near certain BART stations ( Embarcadero, Montgomery, 12th Street/Oakland City Center, Downtown Berkeley, Fruitvale, or Balboa Park) between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., "Dump the Pump" squads will be passing out stickers. Put that sucker on and you just might get a free BART ticket that day if these special squads spot you sporting the sticker.

Of course, we're really not sure why BART won't just give riders free tickets, instead of making them do a stupid sticker-wearing dance in hopes of getting a free ride?

Well, because that would be quick and efficient, which doesn't seem to be BART's motto.

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