With nearly 600 participants and 21,500 vehicle trips saved during last year’s 36 Prize Riders incentive program, 36 Commuting Solutions will again offer the program to commuters.

The program will run through Aug. 3 and encourages U.S. 36 commuters to ride transit or increase the number of days they ride transit to work. Audrey DeBarros, executive director for 36 Commuting Solutions, said the primary goal is to reduce traffic congestion in the corridor. Those who participate are eligible for weekly prizes.

“Riding transit allows commuters to use their time more effectively, and we have selected prizes to encourage just that, while at the same time reducing traffic congestion,” she said. “Tablets and MP3 players are high-tech products designed to maximize the extra personal or work time made available by riding the bus. We will also give away bike-related prizes, as bicycles pair well with transit and fit the active lifestyle of today’s transit riders.”

DeBarros said participants can go online to the 36 Commuting solutions website, www.36commutingsolutions.org, for step-by-step instructions on how to enroll in the program. After downloading the prize rider tracker, participants may log their trips on US 36 using transit transportation. Eligible RTD routes include AB, BV/BX/BF/BMX, DD, DM, HX, L, S, T and 86X.

“As a nonprofit, the goal of our organization is to improve the U.S. 36 corridor,” DeBarros said. “By implementing this program, we are providing a cost-effective solution to improve traffic congestion.”

36 Prize Riders is jointly funded by 36 Commuting Solutions and a Federal Highway Administration Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant.