FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- If you live in Franklin, you can catch a free ride around town Thursday.

In an effort to encourage people to try public transportation, Franklin's public transit system will be offering free rides to anyone who wants one.

The event is part of a national effort dubbed Dump the Pump Day.

A lot of people in Franklin have already caught on. Officials said there has been a 43 percent increase in ridership since gas prices rose so high last summer.

Federal transportation officials said a person switching from a 20-mile round-trip commute to public transportation can lower their annual carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 5,000 pounds a year.