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Yesterday, more than 125 public transportation systems took part in the sixth annual “Dump the Pump Day” event, a national effort designed to encourage people to park their cars and ride trains or buses for a day.

Agencies offered free rides, contests and other giveaways to reward existing riders and encourage new riders to try public transportation, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), which sponsors the event in partnership with the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“Using public transportation is the quickest way to beat high gas prices,” said APTA President William Millar in a prepared statement. “Additionally, riding public transportation … helps the environment and reduces our country’s dependence on oil.”

Ridership on systems across the country have been reaching record levels this year as gas prices keep increasing and more people are returning to the workforce, APTA officials said.

Noting that only 54 percent of U.S. households have access to public transportation, Millar called on federal, state and local governments to invest in transit so that more Americans can access it.