Bus riders in the Triangle got a few incentives Thursday for giving mass transit a try during the 3rd Annual "Dump the Pump" Day.

The nationwide campaign is designed to get more people to park their cars and give mass transit a try. And as an added incentive, Triangle Transit gave out free water and day passes.

But incentives or not, ridership on Triangle Transit has been growing as gas prices continue to go up.

Triangle Transit says ridership grew 14 percent this past May compared to last May, and jumped 20 percent this past April over last April.

Amy Armbruster with Triangle Transit says June ridership is on track to beat their highest numbers ever thanks to $4 a gallon gas.

"I think a lot of people are thinking seriously about the way they travel and are looking for alternatives, so they're trying the bus," according to Armbruster.

During the week, Mike Paschall commutes from Garner to Research Triangle Park.

"The time that I would lose waiting on a bus here and there is worth it, especially if you think about how much it costs for insurance, how much it costs for gas, how much it costs for maintenance," said Paschall.

Triangle Transit says a nationwide transportation study found people who ride the bus could save on average $4,000 dollars a year in gas and related expenses.

And even though it costs Will Lingo about 60 bucks to fill up his SUV every week, riding the bus just isn't for him.

"It's just so inconvenient to try to get from Raleigh to Durham or RTP by bus, it's not really worth it especially when you have kids," said Lingo.

But Triangle Transit says the numbers show for many, the savings are worth the inconvenience.

For more information about Triangle Transit can call (919) 485-RIDE or can log on to the Triangle Transit website.