Transit Alliance 4 Founded in Coalition of 39 groups 4 Local governments 4 Business organizations 4 Community groups

Transit Alliance 4 Our purpose is to contribute to the economic vitality, the quality of life, and the environment of the Denver Metropolitan region by promoting public transit as part of a balanced, multi-modal transportation network.

Transit Alliance 4 Education & Outreach –this year reached over 15,000 people through presentations and at street fairs and events –trained 150 activists at half-day workshops –quarterly newsletter sent to over 3,500 people –about 2,000 monthly web site visits –annual forum featuring national speakers

Transit Alliance Quarterly Newsletter 10-min. educational video Briefing Book for Policy Makers

Transit Alliance 4 Policy & Advocacy –work at local, regional, state and federal level –Alliance Action Fund led state lobbying effort to authorize a regional transit sales tax vote –TEA-21 Reauthorization

The Denver Story: Growth 4 1 million new people expected in the metro area in the next 20 years

Light rail: A success! 4 3 light rail lines built on-time & on-budget Central line Southwest LoDo 4 Light rail ridership 37% over projections Average Weekday Light Rail Ridership

More light rail on the way 4 Voter-approved light rail expansion opening mile extension along I-25 4 Light rail users will save 20 minutes compared to driving during rush hour (Lincoln Ave to downtown, 2020) 4 1 in 4 rush hour commuters will be on light rail (peak point, 2020)

FasTracks plan 4 FasTracks Vision Plan, RTD’s plan to build 110 miles of new rail and bus rapid transit 4 1 in 5 rush hour commuters would be on transit in the corridors where built (peak points, 2020)

4 FasTracks requires voter support 4 After T-REX, no new rapid transit can be built for the next 20 years without new local funding 4 FasTracks could be built in 12 years if voters approve a 4/10 cent sales tax increase

Public supports transit expansion 4 Strong public support for expanded rail and bus service poll found 78% support for a 4/10th of a cent sales tax increase for transit Support for Increased Transit Funding Support Oppose Don’t Know/ Und.

Our Key Messages 4 More rail and bus service gives commuters choices that provide an alternative to driving during rush hour traffic. 4 With another million people on the way to the metro area in the next 20 years, we need to accelerate construction of key transportation projects

Our Key Messages 4 Rail and bus service benefits the entire community, not just the people who ride it. 4 A great transportation system will help attract quality jobs to our area 4 FasTracks will provide a convenient way to get to sporting and cultural events and to the airport

Messages -- Lessons Learned 4 Develop and test message through opinion research 4 Get message out 4 Stay on message: respond to critic, return to message 4 Do opposition research

Rail transit is... 4 Fast –20 min. faster by light rail than driving from Lincoln/I-25 to downtown (2020) 4 Efficient –One in five rush hour commuters will be on rail in corridors where it is built (peak point) 4 Cost-Competitive –Costs less than adding the same capacity with highway lanes