The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) is joining with merchants and business owners in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area along several popular bus routes to kick off a “Customer Appreciation & Celebration” campaign that begins Nov. 11, and will offer special bargain discounts and other rewards to thank transit passengers and shoppers for their patronage and perseverance during the busy construction season.
The campaign is an effort to promote awareness that normal traffic flow on most of TheRide’s routes between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti is expected to resume as soon as several major construction projects are completed. Unforeseen construction delays and weather issues throughout 2014 have snarled traffic, altered bus arrival and departure schedules and interrupted the daily commutes of workers and shoppers.
“TheRide and our local businesses understand the inconvenience these road projects have at times caused for our loyal customers and employees who work in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, so we thought it’s entirely appropriate to recognize them for their dedication and continued support of our services,” said Robert Guenzel, TheRide’s interim-CEO.
“November 11 through November 18 is going to be a great time to get on board TheRide because we will be holding ‘Customer Appreciation & Celebration Day’ events on select buses, at TheRide’s transit centers and at Park & Ride lots,” Guenzel said. “The owners and staff of the businesses that are participating in the campaign are equally excited to welcome their old and new customers and herald the completion of improvements to our local road transportation system.”
Starting tomorrow, TheRide’s staff will distribute coupon books to bus riders that list all of the locations where local businesses are providing discounts and other special offers. TheRide will also randomly give away “goodie bags” to passengers and serve refreshments on certain days at area transit centers and Park & Ride lots.
The businesses participating in the Customer Appreciation & Celebration Day are: Paradise Restaurant (routes 7 & 16), Pro Nails & Spa (routes 7 & 16), Bella Italia Pizza & Pasta (routes 7 & 16), Miles of Golf (routes 5 & 22), Underground Printing (routes 7 & 16), The Party Center (routes 9 & 609), Launch Board Shop (routes 9 & 12), Mancino’s (routes 5 & 22), Thrifty Florist (routes 5 & 22), and Cricket (routes 5 & 22).
