Building the Transit Vote Coalition

June 2, 2009

J. Barry BarkerExecutive Director, Transit Authority of River City

Louisville, KYVice Chair – Government Affairs, APTA

2008 Transit-relatedBallot Measures

37 Approved in 15 states– AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, KS, MI, MO, NC, NM,

OH, RI, UT, WA, WI

10 Defeated in 5 states– CA, CO, KS, MO, NV, OR

79% approval rate

Can’t win an election on your own...

Employers Riders Workers Community groups Environmental activists Civic leaders

Examples of Transit Supportive Business

Coalitions Kentuckians for Better Transportation Citizens for Modern Transit (St. Louis) New Jersey Alliance for Action Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group Friends of Transit (Phoenix)

Grassroots Coalitions

Environmentally Focused (1000 friends) Community Focused Coalitions Interested in Transit Generally Or Supporting Specific Election/Project Transit Advisory Committees (to

engage)

APTA Programs

National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA)

Coalition Grant Program Coalition Training Transit Vote Move America Now

National Campaign

Trends all Favorable: Long term favorable ridership trend Population/demographic/energy/

environmental trends Time for a new vision and direction Movement to a green economy Transit-friendly Administration

National Legislative Agenda

Surface Transportation Authorization Climate & Energy Legislation High-Speed Rail Economic Recovery (ARRA)

APTA’s RCA Campaign

Research Communications Advocacy

Campaign Research

Public Opinion Polling / Research: Positioning and Messaging

3 Es and a Q

APTA Survey Summary

Public Transportation, while not the most important priority, is important and people are hearing and reading about it.

There is strong support for funding Public Transportation– Super majority supports use of tax dollars to improve

and expand– Majority supports Congress INCREASING level of

spending

Summary and Implications

There are many strong messages that are effective in building support for Public Transportation– Economic, Environmental, and Energy messages

all are compelling• Relative weight of these three is virtually equal

• There are many arrows in the message quiver

Energy and Economic individual messages play strong

Public Transit Benefits

Q807 The benefits of public transportation generally fall into 3 broad areas: economic benefits, environmental benefits, and energy related benefits. Comparing these types of benefits, about what percent of these benefits fall into each of these categories (your responses should total 100%)?

EconomyEnergyEnvironment

Strong Support for Funding PT Expansion & Improvement

91%

73%

Q685 Do you support or oppose the allocation of your tax dollars toward the expansion and improvement of public transportation services in your community?

Strong Support for Increasing Congressional Spending for PT

80%

55%

Q690 Every five years the US Congress reviews its spending priorities for public transportation. All things considered, which of the following best describes what you believe the US Congress should do with the level of spending for public transportation?

No Support for Gas Tax

56%

28%

Some people believe increasing the federal gas tax by a few cents would be a good thing because it will force us to reduce consumption of fossil fuels, provide funding for alternative fuels and increase usage of greener and more efficient modes of transportation, and ultimately lessen congestion on our busy roadways. Other people believe increasing the federal gas tax by a few cents would be a bad thing because it would increase the tax burden of the very people that most need a tax break right now and would make it harder for the economy to recover.

Message Testing Summary

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: The U.S. is at the mercy of our enemies. The Middle East cartels and unstable foreign governments are growing rich while we struggle. We can change that by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, which ultimately keeps our country more secure. Public transportation helps solve our energy crisis.

ECONOMY: With a country in recession and unemployment on the rise, we face tough economic times. Public transportation can be a solution and help pave the way to a stronger economy. Public transportation projects will put tens of thousands of Americans to work, revitalize our communities with construction and manufacturing opportunities and provide affordable transportation options to get the U.S. back on track economically. Public transportation creates jobs and can stimulate our economy.

QUALITY OF LIFE: When you take public transportation you attain a significant portion of the recommended minimum daily exercise and greatly reduce your travel time, reducing stress and lessening congestion on our busy roadways. Public transportation leads to improved health and an improved quality of life.

ENVIRONMENT: Public transportation is the responsible environmental choice. By reducing smog-producing pollutants and greenhouse gases, public transportation improves air quality and reduces the climate crisis.

Total % Agree

26% Strongly

40% Strongly

32% Strongly

35% Strongly

29% Strongly

54% Strongly

15% Strongly

28% Strongly

Women 86%

Women 83%

Campaign Particulars

Media on National News Shows Inside the Beltway media Earned Media Showcasing New

Research (e.g., Needs/Jobs/Benefits) Enhanced Education Information and Messaging Policy Forums/Events/Special Initiatives

Authorization: Desired Outcomes

Quantum leap for transit - $123 billion over six years

Expedite program delivery–time is money Reaffirm the funding guarantees Connect the dots:

transit/energy/climate /housing/economic growth

National Partnerships

State & Local Government Construction/Developers/Builders Environmental Organizations Transportation Reform Coalitions Labor Health and Human Service Organizations Persons with Disabilities Older Adults U.S. Chamber of Commerce Other Transportation Stakeholders Hundreds more

J. Barry BarkerExecutive Director

Transit Authority of River City

Louisville, KY

jbarrybarker@ridetarc.org