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Posted: 9/8/2008

High gasoline prices have resulted in recent increases in ridership for VIA Metropolitan Transit, and the effects are carrying over into the agency’s Corporate Challenge program.

VIA encourages new riders to ride the bus during Try Transit Week to raise awareness of the benefits of public transit. VIA promotes this new ridership through a campaign called the Corporate Challenge. In this program, area companies are asked to encourage their employees to take a test ride on the bus at least once during the week. VIA offers free trip coupons and trip planning for employees that accept the challenge, and all participants are entered into a drawing for prizes.

This year, Try Transit Week and the Corporate Challenge are scheduled for October 5-11. In 2006, the last year VIA issued the challenge, 25 local employers participated and promoted public transportation to their workers. This year 68 businesses have already signed up, and VIA expects many of the companies’ employees to consider commuting by bus.

“This is a perfect time to try transit,” said John M. Milam, VIA President and CEO. “Riding the bus is an easy way to save on personal fuel costs, and we are increasing services that are geared toward the commuter. In August we added service to some of our existing express routes, and in November we plan to start a new express route that will serve the far west side of town.”

The Corporate Challenge complements VIA’s on-going partnerships with many area employers. VIA provides monthly Big Passes to companies as part of the BusinessPass program, and several organizations participate in the EZ-Ride annual pass program to pay for their workers’ rides on VIA buses. Prizes for the 2008 Corporate Challenge drawing have been provided by many local companies, including the Crockett Hotel, the Holiday Inn River Walk, the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Historic Menger Hotel, and the Westin River Walk.

It’s not too late to accept VIA’s Corporate Challenge. If your company is interested in helping VIA promote bus ridership in the San Antonio area, please call 362-2385 for more information.