Sunflower Diversified Services – Catch-A-Ride will join with other public transportation systems nationwide in the fifth annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 16.

Citizens can try Catch-A-Ride that day for free, with complementary rides offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Great Bend on a reservation basis.

Call 620-792-7797 to reserve a ride.

The 2011 National Dump the Pump Day encourages people to ride public transportation to save money, protect the environment, reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve quality of life. It is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, and supported by the Kansas Public Transit Association.

Operating from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Catch-A Ride service is available in Great Bend and local area within 10 miles of Great Bend city proper during all service hours with Barton, Rice, Rush, Stafford, Pawnee County’s serviced twice each weekday.

Cost of each one-way trip is $2 with 24 hour advance notice required.

In 2010, Catch-A Ride covered 343,342 miles providing 51,011 rides.