Wherever Life Takes You

8 (PT) 2 is a 5-year nationwide education and outreach initiative designed to build support for public transportation among the public and among local, state and federal officials in order to positively impact funding and policy decisions. (PT) 2

(PT) 2 Goals  Increase federal funding for public transportation. (Reauthorize TEA 21 with increased funding.)  Increase support for public transportation at state and local levels.  Improve perceptions of the value and benefits of public transportation.  Increase appreciation for public transportation’s contributions to communities.

Why We Need (PT) 2 Support for Public Transportation

(PT) 2 Program Components The program is comprised of six components.

Component 1: Policy Research  Ongoing Development of Facts and Figures That Tell Our Story  Recent Reports: -The Benefits of Guaranteed Funding -Ten Reasons Why Conservatives Should Support TEA 21 Reauthorization -Monograph Series : Mobility and the Aging Population, Mobility in Small Urban and Rural Communities, Critical Relief to Traffic Congestion, Conserving Energy and Preserving the Air We Breathe, The Route to Better Personal Health, Essential Support for a Strong Economy

Component 2: Advocacy and Coalition Building  National Coalitions: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Highway/Transit, Rail Corridors Initiative, Livable Communities Consortium  Local Coalitions: National Alliance for Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA), Business Coalition for Rapid Transit (BCRT), state transit associations

Component 3: Communications  Focus on tying public transit to key community issues, through facts and anecdotes  Providing tools for local systems to personalize press releases and op-ed  Ongoing national media communications and key market media focus 

Communications In Washington:  All reauthorization efforts will be supported by a comprehensive communications and media campaign.  Campaign focuses inside-the-beltway on elected officials and key staffers and opinion leaders in Washington.

Component 4: Local Toolkits  Complete overview of national program and “tools” and resources for local efforts -Coalition building and advocacy materials -Sample letters, op-eds, press releases -Copies of national advertising campaign (TV, print, radio) -How to localize national ads and other materials

Component 5: Enhanced Education  Expanded Outreach to Congress and Administration  Legislative Resource Guides  GIS Maps

Component 6: National Advertising  Targeted at activists and opinion leaders  National cable  National magazines  Ads can also be used with local message.  Currently creating new national ad campaign strategy

National Ad Campaign

Inside-the-Beltway Advertising  Advertising  “Inside-the-Beltway”--targets the Administration, Congress and Washington influentials.  Series of ads; some will feature coalitions and partnerships.  Ads focus on jobs and the economy, congestion and quality of life. (Also available for partners to customize and use locally.)

Community Benefits Built on Personal Opportunity The opportunities provided by choice, access, and freedom/mobility can enable everyone in the community to accomplish what is important to them, making the entire community stronger and more vibrant. Strategic Communications Message

Strategic Communications Materials Highlight specific issues and demographics:  Economic Growth  Heath Benefits  Energy and the Environment  Aging Population  Rural and Small Urban Communities

Implementing the Program Locally  Program will be most successful if we leverage the program’s elements nationally and locally.  Use the (PT) 2 message in reaching out to your community.  Build partnerships and coalitions.  Tell your story to elected officials, the media.  When possible, purchase local ads.  Encourage your peers to take actions.

Atlanta

Lansing, MI

(PT) 2 APTA Member Mobilization  Mobilizing 1500 APTA member organizations is a key element of the reauthorization efforts.  Monthly Checklist--highlights tasks that members can initiate on a local level to enhance our national efforts.  Encourage APTA members to carry reauthorization messages directly to their members of Congress.

(PT) 2 APTA Transit Action Center  Objective: An easy-to-use, consolidated web- based tool to educate, organize and mobilize APTA members and their employees.  Goals: Provide materials, outreach and communications tools that can be used to engage public transportation employees and activists.  Keep employee-activists involved throughout the reauthorization process and further educate elected officials and community leaders.

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Transit Action Center Respond to action alerts Educate and encourage co-workers to participate Mobilize your employees, fellow transit advocates, and suppliers What Can You Do?

(PT) 2 Victory Results  Increased investment  driving increased ridership  greater customer satisfaction

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