Be part of the movement
Whether your choice of transportation is cycling, carpooling or riding transit, being a green commuter in the gaming capital of the world is a win, win situation.
Participants in the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada’s (RTC) free Club Ride program are not just helping ease congestion and reducing CO2 emissions to improve air quality, but they are also receiving discounts at local stores. Some of the deals include two-for-one tickets to the Las Vegas 51s baseball games, restaurant discounts, and the chance to win over 300 prizes every month. Created by the RTC, the incentive program has attracted 25,000 Las Vegas area residents who report their green commutes to enter monthly prize draws for the chance to win $10, $25 and even $50 gift cards.
“Reaching commuters through employers has been a key feature of the program,” said Tina Quigley, General Manager of the RTC. “We also use different forms of technology, such as the website and mobile app, to make the program more accessible to members.” Helping to expand Club Ride’s reach is a new app developed by AECOM which has supported the program since 2009 with transportation specialists providing guidance and expertise at every stage. The latest work on the app has been designed to make it quicker and easier for participants to register for the program, report their commute and be eligible for the prizes – this is particularly important for the diverse population in the metropolis, where people are more likely to use their smart phones than desk computers to report their commuting. “The easier we make it for people to participate, the more will come on board,” said Diane Hanson, project manager for AECOM. The app also provides a way to set reminders for reporting a commute and the opportunity to report back up to 30 days. “When we surveyed our members, the most common reason for not reporting a commute was ‘I forgot,’ so these app features make it even easier for members to report,” said Hanson.
The project is funded by the Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), and has won impressive endorsements for its success including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 Clean Air Excellence Award in the category of Community Action. This national award recognizes innovative state, local, tribal and private sector programs that protect health and the environment, educate the public, serve their communities and boost the economy. Club Ride also received the “Best of” award for Commuter Supporting Agencies in the Best Workplaces for Commuters Race to Excellence. Best Workplaces for Commuters is a program established by the University of South Florida’s National Center for Transit Research.