Jay Faught
Try Transit
Try Transit
The Try Transit program is a collaborative effort between the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit District (NCTD). Try Transit is an employer benefit program that provides eligible employees with a 30-day pass to try one of the many transit choices - bus, train or trolley - in the San Diego region.
Employer Requirements
Ideally, the employers we target will have 200 or more employees, but smaller companies are eligible. Their work location must be within a half mile of transit stop/station or provide a shuttle to the worksite from a transit stop. There must be sufficient and reasonable transit options for employees to take transit to work and the employees must have completed a commuter survey which indicates there is transit interest.
Employee Requirements
The employee must sign an agreement that indicates they are not a current transit rider and they agree to use transit at least 8 times during the month and then complete a survey at the end of their trial month.
How it Works
Once the above criteria are met, we provide a group presentation for interested employees. The presentation explains how to use transit and highlights which routes are accessible to their work location. After the presentation, employees meet one on one with staff who will provide a trip plan between their home and work. If it is determined that transit is a feasible option for their commute, the employee signs the agreement and they are given a free 30-pass loaded onto a Compass Card (smart card). We track the usage of this pass during their 30-day trial and encourage them to purchase a pass on their own the following month. We continue to monitor their ridership on the pass for an additional 30-days to determine success.
Results
Since the Try Transit program launched, 438 employees have enrolled at 28 different employment events. After the free 30-day trail period, 58% have purchased passes on their own and continued to ride transit. Keep in mind, these are new riders who had never commuted to work by transit before who are now choosing to put their car aside and use bus or train.
438
EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATED
58%
CONTINUED TO RIDE TRANSIT
67%
INDICATE THEY WILL RIDE AGAIN