The days are getting longer, and (slowly) the air is getting warmer. Soon enough the sweet scent of Lilac will be in the air. This can only mean one thing… ROC Transit Day will soon be here!

If you drive in your car to work alone each day, you’re probably asking yourself, “Why would I want to ride public transit when I can just drive my Nissan Leaf (or whatever)?”

Well, I could list all the reasons why public transportation is healthier for our earth, healthier for our bodies, and healthier for our community. But that would be boring. Instead, watch this video and hear it straight from the mouths of your fellow Rochesterians…

Jason and Stefanie Schwingle run The Rochesteriat blog and they love living in downtown Rochester. This couple took the day off from work last year and used ROC Transit Day to enjoy the city and all of the great deals. “It’s been freeing for us to travel without a car today,” said Stefanie.

Jason enjoyed seeing the city from a different perspective. “It’s interesting to get to know your city in a more intimate way. When you’re on public transportation you have to share that experience with the rest of the city… Definitely do this – this is important.”

Why is public transit so important for Rochester? Aaron Costa, owner of Krudco Skateshop (#7 Monroe Ave bus line), says many of his customers don’t own a car. They may be too young for a driver’s license, can’t afford to own a car, or they’ve made a lifestyle choice not to drive. And so for him, public transit is crucial for his business because it brings customers. But he also says transit makes for a good neighborhood vibe. “It gets more people together, you know what I mean? When you’re in your car you’re blocked off.”

Taylor Ann works at Cheesy Eddie’s (#5 South Ave bus line). Her shop gives away free mini cheesecakes on ROC Transit Day to anyone who shows a bus pass. Taylor says that by walking, biking and taking public transit, we actually begin to “take control of our city.” Because the more people we have walking our streets, the safer those streets become.

Scott Page, owner of Full Moon Vista bike shop (#5 South Ave bus line) says that biking and public transit go hand in hand. Scott says he’s noticed a definite uptick in the amount of Rochesterians choosing alternate forms of transportation. He sees a lot of his customers ride the bus on their way to work in the morning, and ride their bike home at night. A bike is also a great way to get to and from your bus stop if it’s too far to walk. His shop is also offering 15% off any one bike accessory when you show a bus pass on ROC Transit Day.

It’s more than just a bus ride!

On ROC Transit Day (Thursday, June 19) the most important thing is to leave your car at home and give public transit a try. If nothing more than to you support for public transit and a healthier community. Or even just to say that you’ve tried riding the bus – once.

But ROC Transit Day also promises to be much more than a bus ride. You’ll get to bask in the Rochester funshine. Did I just say funshine? Hell yes I did. Volunteers from Reconnect Rochester will be handing out prizes to random bus riders all day long.

And if you’ve got an RTS bus pass, you can use that pass to redeem exclusive deals at a ton of Rochester shops, restaurants, museums, etc. Find all those great deals using the map at ROCtransitday.com/find-fun

Ride with Rex Rhino

And, if you’ve got kids, you can ride the bus with Rochester’s favorite Rhino… Rex Rhino invites you to board the bus with him at 8:30am, June 19, for a ride from the Monroe Avenue YMCA to Sahlen’s Stadium. You and your family will then be taken on a tour of the stadium!

Get details and RSVP to claim your spot

But wait, there’s more…

$500 Treasure Hunt

FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS (U.S.) will be hiding somewhere in Rochester. And the first person (or team of people) to find it will take all. There’s just one catch… no cars allowed. To claim this jackpot you’ll need to use the bus system, walk or bike.

Get your first clue here

Swing Dance & Food Trucks

To cap off the day, a HUGE Swing Dance will take place on the steps of the Rundel library building downtown, 4:30-6:30p. Come witness 40+ energetic Groove Juice Swing dancers as they twist, twirl, flip, and triple-step to the sounds of Smugtown Stompers . The Friends & Foundation of Rochester Public Library will host a used book sale and games for the kids. And bring your appetite too – Le Petit Poutine and Stingray Sushi food trucks will be there!

Swing Dance – 4:30-6:30p
Get details here

How To Participate

ROC Transit Day is easy! Just leave your car at home on Thursday, June 19th. You can use your own RTS fare card or request free all-day passes using this form .

Get your company involved! Ask your employer or community organization to request a supply of FREE fare cards to distribute to fellow employees or members.

Become an official ROC Transit Day sponsor

Volunteer to help out on June 19

Tags: Aaron Costa, bus, Cheesy Eddies, Full Moon Vista, Krudco, mass transit, mass transportation, public transit, Reconnect Rochester, Regional Transit Service (RTS), ROC Transit Day, Rochester, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Rochester NY, Scott Page, Taylor Ann Bogur

This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2014 at 10:22 pm and is filed under Events, Rochester News, Transit + Infrastructure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.