Commuters in San Diego yesterday didn't have to pay for public transit. That's because Washington Mutual bank paid for all riders' fares:
A bank spokesman says it's one way the company is saying "thank you" to consumers who ranked WaMu tops among Western U.S. banks in a recent J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey.
A similar one-day event in Sacramento last month boosted ridership by 10 percent to 20 percent. "It was very well-received," said Alane Masui, with the Sacramento Regional Transit District.
Sure, it's just a different form of advertising. But it's a cool way for a city transit authority to take in some extra money (WaMu paid San Diego the cost of the fares plus some extra fees).
And it's effective. When I saw this story out of San Diego, I was reminded that a similar event happened in Washington, D.C., a few years ago. And I was even able to conjure up the advertiser. It was ING Direct (although I still don't really know what that company does...).
Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach has written about a range of topics, including social policy issues and urban planning and design. Originally from Tennessee, he joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism
E-mail: zpatton@governing.com 
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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