Incentives offered for riding the bus to work

Las Vegas-area residents will soon have a new incentive to ride the bus to work.

The Regional Transportation Commission is teaming with employers to offer employees incentives to either car pool or ride a bus to work. The RTC approved the program during a Thursday morning meeting.

New transit users who have participating employers will receive incentives valued at as much as $2 a day for three months for participating in the program. The incentives can be used by employees to purchase merchandise. Participants also will receive two free taxi rides they can use during a one-year period for emergencies.

"We have found that many people are reluctant to car pool or take the bus because they are afraid they will have to leave work for an emergency like picking up a sick kid at school. The free taxi hopefully will help alleviate those fears," said Justin Schor, transportation demand manager for the RTC.

A pilot program will begin in December with three casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and in January it will be opened up to employers throughout the area who want to take part. Treasure Island, the Bellagio and Caesars Palace have agreed to participate.

Money for the program is provided by the RTC. But employers participate by helping administer the program.

Schor said Clark County government also may participate, but a decision has not yet been made.

"Basically, what we are trying to do is change people's habits on how they go to work," Schor said. "What we want to do is give new reasons to consider car pooling or using mass transit. We are doing this to conserve fuel, reduce pollution and reduce traffic."

Employers will be responsible for monitoring whether employees are participating.

A decision has not been made yet on what form the incentives will take, Schor said. Options under consideration are gift certificates and debit cards.

A discount card may also be given to participants in the program that allows them to receive discounts from merchants.

The program will cost $235,000 for the first year. It is being paid for through county sales taxes and mass transit fares.

Employers benefit from the program because they will be giving the benefits to their employees that are provided by the RTC. They will be perceived as a "giver," Schor said.

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