Thanks to a new partnership with Miles, travelers can now earn unique rewards simply by choosing to take their trip on SamTrans or Caltrain.

Miles is a rewards platform and app that delivers value for every mile traveled. Users who choose alternative modes of travel or eco-friendly forms of transportation — such as walking, biking, carpooling, or transit — are rewarded even more.

Transit riders who use the Miles app already earn rewards, but the San Mateo County Transit District’s (SMTD) partnership will offer exclusive reward opportunities to riders who choose SamTrans and Caltrain for their travel needs. SamTrans and Caltrain riders will be eligible to compete in special public transit challenges to earn additional rewards, such as Amazon or Starbucks gift cards, tickets to local events, and special offers from local retailers and merchants.

Available on iOS and Android, Miles allows anyone with a smartphone to earn miles as they travel. Designed to work seamlessly in the background, Miles automatically logs each trip from point A to B and the mode of transportation, while keeping data completely private.

“Our partnership with Miles will offer commuters an additional incentive to choose public transit over driving alone,” said “This pilot is part of our ongoing endeavor to reduce traffic congestion by incentivizing transit and improving our service to better meet the transportation needs of Bay Area residents,” said Jim Hartnett, CEO/GM of the SMTD.

To get started, consumers simply download the Miles app. Users can easily view their miles earned per trip and receive personalized rewards that are redeemable either online or at a nearby store.

The SMTD is conducting a one-year pilot with Miles. Anonymous travel data received from the pilot program will help inform future transportation planning efforts and to encourage sustainable travel options. The City of Sacramento and Contra Costa Transportation Authority also currently have successful pilots with Miles underway.