The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada has made a significant announcement regarding a strategic partnership with Masabi, a leading provider of fare collection and mobility solutions, and Visa, one of the world's largest payment technology companies. This collaboration is centered around the introduction of the groundbreaking rideRTC Rewards Program, a new initiative designed to revolutionize the transit experience for riders in the region.
The rideRTC Rewards Program, which comes as a result of this powerful partnership, is set to reshape the way commuters pay for their transit fares. By leveraging the widespread acceptance and convenience of Visa cards, the program aims to encourage more riders to choose public transportation as their preferred mode of travel. The initiative is powered by Masabi's cutting-edge Open Payments solution, a state-of-the-art technology that seamlessly integrates with the Velocia rewards platform. This integration not only streamlines the payment process but also offers riders a host of valuable incentives, making every tap-to-ride experience more rewarding and convenient.
One of the key features of the rideRTC Rewards Program is its accessibility. The program is open to a select number of participants within the RTC's contactless payment ecosystem, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Once enrolled, riders will have the opportunity to earn points every time they use their Visa contactless card, payment-enabled device, or other eligible payment methods to pay for an RTC ride. These accumulated points can then be redeemed for free rides, providing a tangible benefit that enhances the overall transit experience for users.
To further motivate riders, the program includes an exciting bonus system. Riders who maintain a weekly streak by tapping their payment card or payment-enabled device at least four times in a single week will be eligible for additional bonus points. What's more, those who manage to continue their streaks for up to four consecutive weeks will enjoy even more optimized rewards, adding an element of gamification and long-term incentive to the program.
According to the official press release, the development of the rideRTC Rewards Program is a direct result of RTC's existing partnership with Masabi. In December 2023, Masabi launched the agency's Open Payments fare collection system, a major milestone in the region's public transportation infrastructure. This advanced system has enabled riders to pay for their transit fares with ease using contactless bank cards, mobile wallets, and smart devices. Additionally, the Open Payments Account Linking feature allows riders to link their payment cards to a single transit account, a crucial functionality that makes the rewards program possible. By linking accounts, reduced fares and rewards can be directly assigned to a rider's payment card, while also unlocking access to detailed trip history and other account-based benefits, providing a more personalized and convenient transit experience.
For those interested in participating in the rideRTC Rewards Program, the process is straightforward. Customers are required to download the rideRTC app, create an account, and register for the program. As an enticing sign-up bonus, each new participant will receive 200 points, which is equivalent to a free single ride. The program will initially run for a six-month period, during which time RTC aims to gather valuable insights into ridership trends. By collecting detailed trip data and incentivizing participants to complete surveys, RTC plans to accelerate transit improvements and developments. This data-driven approach will not only help the commission stay compliant with industry regulations but also ensure that it meets the evolving needs of customers in an increasingly competitive and dynamic market.
The launch of the rideRTC Rewards Program marks an important step forward in RTC's ongoing efforts to enhance the public transportation experience in Southern Nevada. With the combined expertise and resources of Masabi and Visa, the program has the potential to attract more riders, improve customer satisfaction, and contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the region's transit system. As the program unfolds over the coming months, riders can look forward to a more rewarding and convenient way to travel, while RTC will be able to make informed decisions to further optimize and expand its services.
