CEDAR RAPIDS - The Iowa Department of Transportation wants someone else to drive you home tonight.

The fourth annual Dump the Pump Day encourages people to get out of their personal vehicles and ride public transportation. It's an effort to raise awareness about the financial benefits of public transit.

Samantha Dahlby doesn't worry about not getting to work because her car won't start. She got rid of it, and started grabbing route number three for the last three years.

"For me, it's being able to read a book or watch podcasts or listen to music on the way into work or home," said Dahlby.

As easy as it is for her, she said its tough to get her friends to follow.

"It's mostly, well, I want to get across town, but I want to do it efficiently and not take forever. If I can bike faster than the bus, why am I riding a bus," said Dahlby.

Dahlby said it doesn't make sense that all the bus routes start and end in downtown, when many potential riders don't want to go downtown.

That means a simple jog across town requires you to transfer buses, and could take an hour and a half.

One solution: Buses could use the malls as hubs. That's just one idea the Metropolitan Planning Organization will study this summer.

"One of the issues we've come across is the routes need to serve people where they need to go, when they need to go and that they're doing it in a more timely fashion than what they are now," said Adam Lindenlaub, a long ranger planner with Cedar Rapids.

Lindenlaub said the changes started after people complained about the system during the Neighborhood Planning Process meetings the last few months.

Dahlby hopes the changes will help others leave their cars home too.

Dahlby regularly has "Bus Parties," to allow citizens to see what the system is like.

Below is her release about the next event.

Route 4 Bus Party
When: Saturday, July 11th 11:10am - 12:08pm. The bus will leave at 11:20, so get there early to park if you're driving down, ask questions, and get your $1 or bus pass ready.

Who: Everyone. Bring your friends and family of all ages. Children 4 and under are free, check out the transit site for other fare options.
Where: Corner of 12th Ave & 2nd St SE (transit transfer site). It is across from the African American Museum and it is part of the large parking lot, Lot 44. Meet near the Route 4 bus, designated by the sign on the top, front of the bus. You can also stop in the waiting area trailer to see the different route maps.

After: Lunch! Walk, drive, or ride a bike or bus to a downtown restaurant.

This route goes by Mount Mercy College, along 42nd St. by Kennedy High School, out to Aegon and back downtown. I just rode this route for the first time and finally found out where Polk Elementary is and the Tic Toc restaurant. This bus also goes by the Cedar Rapids City Hall "North".

Several bus party riders had success parking in Lot 44 at the SE corner of 8th Ave SE and 2nd St SE: here.

Disclaimer: Please check out general guidelines for riding the buses. You are responsible for your own actions. Also, I do not work for Cedar Rapids Transit or the city. I will gladly listen to your opinions and complaints, but they will be even more effective if you also share them with the transit department.