Starting in September, Transit monthly pass purchasers are going to receive about $90 in special coupons each month for the next year, as part of the Rider Rewards program. Morley Calahan, Contracts and Promotions Supervisor for Transit said, “We’ve partnered with eight leading Winnipeg companies and the two major universities to provide exclusive offers for all Transit monthly bus pass purchasers. Rider Rewards is aimed at increasing Transit ridership, and sales for our partners by providing “added value” coupons to monthly pass purchasers. Whenever a person buys a monthly bus pass, they receive a strip of discount coupons worth at least $90, to be redeemed on various products, services and events at up to 70 locations throughout Winnipeg.”

Rider Rewards has been described as the most aggressive program of its type ever carried out by a Transit system in Canada. Calahan said, “This is the first time Winnipeg Transit has undertaken a program of this magnitude. Rider Rewards has many attributes that benefit our customers, we’re quite confident the program will deliver positive results to monthly bus pass sales and ridership”.

Advertising for the year long program includes; bus interior and exterior advertising, Transit shelters and bus stop benches, TV, radio, newspaper, Transit’s Web site and Telebus system and point of purchase material at all participating sponsors, and pass and ticket outlets.

The participating companies and universities are:

• Academy Florists Julie Eccles, Advertising Manager - 488-4822
• Athletes Wear Dianne Floren, Director of Advertising - 975-3421
• Great Canadian Bagel Bob Milton,Owner/Operator - 256-4200
• Imax Theatre Darryl Hallock, Operations Manager - 956-2400
• Jumbo Video Dave Henderson, General Manager - 453-3158
• McDiarmid Lumber Sandra Nowicki, Advertising Manager - 452-1588
• Perth’s Cleaners Tracey Sanderson, Director of Marketing - 697-6100
• Salisbury House Patrick Panchuk, General Manager - 784-7473
• Univ. of Winnipeg Bill Wedlake, Athletic Director - 786-9419
• Univ. of Manitoba Walter McKee, Director of Programs - 474-9140
  and Services, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation Studies