BART Rolls Out Perk Program With Cash Rewards

The program will reward commuters who avoid the transportation agency's busiest hour, according to BART

BART riders may consider changing their commute routines if they want to cash in on some extra money.

In a systemwide effort to reduce overcrowding, BART Perks, the new incentive-based program announced Tuesday, gifts riders with cash rewards for traveling before or after the peak morning commute hour, according to a BART news release.

Those riders who wish to participate in the program will receive one point for every mile traversed along the tracks and potentially six times as many points for riding during 1-hour blocks between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. as well as 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., according to BART.

Riders receive $1 for every 1,000 points accrued, BART said.

In addition to trading in points for straight cash, riders can also play the "Spin to Win" game, which could potentially gift riders with even more perk points or various cash rewards between $1 and $100.

The program is being paid for through a $300,000 federal grant the transit agency received to offer cash incentives to riders willing to shift, according to BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost.

"The idea is to try to spread it out a little more than it is right now," Trost said.

BART's announcement comes at a time when the transportation agency works to reduce ridership levels during its busiest operating hour: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., the agency said.

"Our goal is to see if we can shift riders to less crowded times, which will improve everyone's experience on BART," BART board Director Gail Murray said in the release. "It can also improve BART's on-time performance during the rush since trains will have shorter dwell times at each station due to less crowding."

BART says it has $50,000 a month to give away over the next six months before the grant money runs out. It is hoping 10,000 people sign up.

Participants must be California residents and have a Clipper Card to sign up for the program, BART said.

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