Laketran is asking people to ditch their cars and consider alternative means of transportation during its seventh annual Dump the Pump event from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Painesville's Farmer Market (177 Main St., Painesville).

People who ride Laketran on Thursday are encouraged to stop by the event with proof you rode the bus that day (ask the driver for a transfer ticket) and Laketran will enter you for a chance to receive a $50 Giant Eagle gift card.

Additionally, there will be live entertainment, prizes, gift certificates for the farmers market and more.

National Dump the Pump Day is sponsored by The American Public Transportation Association to help create public awareness and encourage people to save money by trying public transportation instead of their car.

According to the 2011 APTA Transit Savings Report, Cleveland area commuters in a two-person household can save about $10,000 annually by only using one car.

Meanwhile, transportation accounts for almost 16 percent of a family's budget, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report. This includes car payments, maintenance, gas, and insurance.

"Dump the Pump Day started in 2006 when gas prices were $3 per gallon, which initially shocked the nation," said Julia Schick, Laketran's marketing director. "It’s now even more shocking that we consider $3.50 a gallon a deal."

Laketran has had 11 consecutive months of ridership increases and the ridership from January to May of 2012 has increased 7.4 percent compared to the same months in 2011.

"Driving a car is becoming more expensive and switching to public transportation is the quickest way to save money and people are making the switch," Schick said.

See photos from last year's Dump the Pump event at Great Lakes Mall.