Meeting explores CAT changes

Sixteen members of the citizens advisory committee for the Regional Transportation Committee Wednesday discussed new changes planned for the Citizens Area Transit bus system.

A new 30-day rolling pass is in the works, which would replace the current monthly flash pass. The new cards would have a magnetic strip and would be swiped with the flick of a wrist through a new $3,200 machine on each bus.

Under the current technology, CAT riders can purchase a monthly flash pass, which is good for service 30 calendar days from purchase. The rolling pass would go into use the first time it is used. The idea behind the new pass is that riders could buy an unlimited number of passes instead of having to buy one each month.

Mark Mahon, revenue supervisor for the RTC, spoke about the new technology which the RTC will decide on at its Aug. 13 meeting.

"Because you will no longer be bound by a calendar month, it allows for greater flexibility," he said. "If the patron loses their card in the middle of the month, they can purchase an additional card and use it for 30 more days."

The first time the patron uses the card, it is initialized on the magnetic strip and is good for 30 days from that date. Each additional time, the user just swipes the card through a machine at the front of the bus, cutting down on the time it takes the passenger to board, Mahon said. Looking down the road, this pass could also be compatible with a future fixed guideway system which could take passengers from bus to railway system.

"In the 30-day testing period, we have folded, soaked, mutilated, and held this card between magnets for 30 minutes. We can't get the card to fail. Once everyone becomes accustomed to the new card it will be quicker than showing the pass to the driver," he said.

Committee member Paul Kartzman was opposed to the new pass.

"I believe it should be a monthly pass," he said. "There is no way I could be convinced this technology will make faster entry onto the bus. With the present pass you don't even have to go up to the box (to swipe the card), you just flash it to the driver."

Later in the meeting, Justin B. Schor, transportation demand manager for RTC, spoke about another future project, CAT Match.

CAT Match builds on the CAT concept, but offers other types of services to three target areas: the general commuting public, individual employers and employment centers, with emphasis on ridesharing, car/vanpools and Park N' Ride systems.

CAT Match would offer advantages to people who use the services, especially employees and employers. Individuals who work for participating companies could qualify, employees could receive up to $2 a day for three months when they rideshare the first time, and could get paid in gift certificates for using the service, Schor said.

Other advantages of this rideshare program could include saved money with shared expenses, less gas purchased and less wear-and-tear on their vehicle, a convenient place to meet their ride, and reduced stress because someone else is driving.

The CAT Match concept will come before the committee in a month or so, he said.

Terrell Prude Jr., president of Complete Modern Office Services Inc., had some comments concerning Schor's presentation.

"It sounds great and I hope it works," said the one-year Las Vegas resident. "But this is Las Vegas. I have noticed a different corporate mentality here than from Seattle. If not a lot of money is going into the casinos because of this program, they aren't going to want to pay attention to it. How can we afford big incentives to casinos?"

Jean Withers, chairperson for the Against U.S. 95 Expansion and Nevada native, expressed her concerns after the meeting.

"My main concern is that we need a transportation system that is going to be feasible not just for the present but for the future," she said. "The (CAT Match) presentation was OK, but it is not the solution. Buses aren't the way to go, we need a smaller fixed guideway system."

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