Although the number of points required to get a transit pass may be a little absurd, I think the city of Edmonton is on to something with selling bus passes for AirMiles. I have an air miles card and have often considerred the points gained from it as “worthless points” because I don’t travel unless someone else (work) is paying for it. If I can get a transit pass, even if it’s only once in a while, for what is essentially free it might convince me to change my habbits.
Since I bought a car a couple years ago I find I don’t take the bus anymore. It’s a hasstle to wait up to an hour for the scheduled bus to come. The buses are never on time so I have to go to the stop 10 minutes early to find the bus is running 5 minutes late. Then I get weaved through parts of the city I didn’t even know existed to get to the mall or the store or whereever I’m going. Wash, rinse, repeat for any transfers I have to make and the ride home. On top of it all, I have to pay for the ride. So why would I do this when I can just hop in my gas-guzzling car and be home and done 15 minutes later? Well, I would want do it to help save the environment. If passes were “free” it makes taking the bus more appealing to me. I imagine there are many others who are in my situation.
The problem with Edmonton’s AirMiles system is that it takes sooo many points to get a pass. I might be able to get one every year or two. They should push harder to get the number of points required down. They should petition credit card companies that have points systems to offer the same deal. Maybe I get a pass from AirMiles this month, and one from my VISA credit card the next month.
Post a Comment