Here’s how to get free transit in the Bay Area on Tuesday
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A sustainable fintech company based in New York is giving everyone in the US free public transportation on Tuesday, January 24 – and there’s only a small catch.
Cardholders who own a FutureCard Visa debit card can have their commute paid for by fintech company Future for just one day. All you have to do is use the card when you top up your Clipper card or pay for a ticket.
Local and commuter transportation will be included in the promotion, including all Muni, BART and Caltrain transit, which means you could save a few bucks on your way to the office next week.
A Future representative says the campaign is not a partnership with the SFMTA or other transportation authorities, but rather a corporate-sponsored campaign to encourage people in the Bay Area to choose a greener commute.
This is not the first time that local public transport will be free for environmental reasons. The city is reimbursing sustainable commuters – those who regularly travel by foot, bike, public transport or ride sharing – with emergency rides home, as part of the city’s climate action plan.
READ MORE: BART axed $6.40 ‘Excursion Fare’ for riders
Future’s debit card is the latest in a growing movement of fintech companies looking to incentivize customers through their wallets. The company provides rewards to customers for choosing to spend their money on greener products and activities, such as cycling on public transport, saving used clothes or eating plant-based protein. Future plans to offset carbon emissions by making greener, low-carbon products and services more economically available.
“A lot of people get intrigued by luxury credit cards that will reward you with hotels, vacations or airline points,” said Future head of partnerships and Oakland native Eunice Jung. “But the reality is that it’s not a sustainable way to shop. People are now becoming much more environmentally conscious in the way they shop, and they’re doing it with our debit card.”
Long-distance passenger railways and charter or tour buses will not be included in the promotion.
Interested people can register for the card on the company’s website, “pay” for trips as usual with FutureCard, and on transit Tuesday the transaction amount will be refunded to customer accounts.
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