1. Without Transit funding, everyone feels the impact Virginia Transportation Conference June 9, 2009

2. What is Advocacy? Advocacy is the pursuit of influencing outcomes — including public- policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions — that directly affect people’s current lives. Cohen, D., R. de la Vega, G. Watson. 2001. Advocacy for social justice. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press Inc.

3. Background:  Leadership Metro Richmond, Class of 2009  Transportation team focus on improving mass transit in the Richmond region  Project evolved into action plan to increase awareness and support of transit  Result: develop viral video and website to sustain project beyond LMR

4. Objectives:  Create a network of transit advocates in the Richmond Region  Raise awareness by educating our community to the value of public transit to every person in the region  Influence the decision makers in the Richmond Region to make responsible decisions to expand public transit Goal: Make the Richmond Region aware of the contribution that expanded public transit can make in solving many of the problems facing the region in the immediate, near, and distant future.

5. Transit Funding  Current funding for transit in the Richmond region is not sustainable Advocacy Issues: Regional Transportation  GRTC is not a regional transit authority  The provision of transit is more a function of affordability to local jurisdictions rather than public demand for that service. Environment  The Richmond Region is NOT meeting federal air quality standards  Using public transit and other alternatives to the SOV are known to improve air quality

6.  Your help is needed!  Work to enhance the awareness of public transit’s importance  Our challenges: affordable transportation, workforce access, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution, to name just a few.  These issues and challenges affect us all- whether you use the bus, or not Get Involved:

7. Our Partners:

8. You can make a difference! Help improve public transit in the Richmond region Join our cause by registering at: www.TransitTalk.com