The MTA celebrated the third annual Dump the Pump Day Thursday by urging Long Islanders to hop on the trains as an effective, cleaner alternative to cars.

The kickoff event at the Rockville Centre train station was nearly upstaged by a published comment from MTA Vice Chairman David Mack. Newsday quoted Mack as saying ?Why should I ride and inconvenience myself when I can ride in a car??

Some commuters see the statement as hypocritical as the push was being made on Dump the Pump day for increased use of mass transit.

MTA CEO Elliot Sander says LIRR ridership is up by double digits since gas went over the $3 mark.

Some everyday commuters say they?re unsure of the MTA?s call for more riders because the trains are already crowded.

?We still have capacity,? LIRR President Helena Williams says. ?There's room for them [to] take the train?There may be some standees, but you know there's [a] change at Jamaica, there's trains that empty out, opportunities to get a seat.?

Sander says having extra room on the trains depends on funding from the state Legislature.

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