Transit Alliance

Founded in 1999

Coalition of 39 groups

Local governments

Business organizations

Community groups

Transit Alliance

Our purpose is to contribute to the economic vitality, the quality of life, and the environment of theDenver Metropolitan region by promoting public transitas part of a balanced,multi-modal transportation network.

Transit Alliance

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

www.transitalliance.org

Transit Alliance

Quarterly Newsletter

10-min. educational video

Briefing Book for Policy Makers

Transit Alliance

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-21Reauthorization

The Denver Story: Growth

1 million new people expected in the metro area in the next 20 years

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

1990 2001 2010 2020

Light rail: A success!

3 light rail lines built on-time & on-budget

1994 - Central line 2000 - Southwest 2002 - LoDo

Light rail ridership 37% over projections

9,400

27,300

37,300

17,439

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

Southwest Systemwide

Projected Actual

Average Weekday Light Rail Ridership

More light rail on the way

Voter-approved light rail expansion opening 2006

19 mile extension along I-25

Light rail users will save 20 minutes compared to driving during rush hour (Lincoln Ave to downtown, 2020)

1 in 4 rush hour commuters will be on light rail (peak point, 2020)

FasTracks plan FasTracks Vision

Plan, RTD’s plan to build 110 miles of new rail and bus rapid transit

1 in 5 rush hour commuters would be on transit in the corridors where built (peak points, 2020)

FasTracks requires voter support

After T-REX, no new rapid transit can be built for the next 20 years without new local funding

FasTracks could be built in 12 years if voters approve a 4/10 cent sales tax increase

Public supports transit expansion

Strong public support for expanded rail and bus service

2001 poll found78% support fora 4/10th of a centsales tax increase for transit

9%13%

78%

Support for IncreasedTransit Funding

Support

Oppose

Don’t Know/Und.

Our Key Messages

More rail and bus service gives commuters choices that provide an alternative to driving during rush hour traffic.

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

Rail and bus service benefits the entire community, not just the people who ride it.

A great transportation system will help attract quality jobs to our area

FasTracks will provide a convenient way to get to sporting and cultural events and to the airport

Messages -- Lessons Learned

Develop and test message through opinion research

Get message out

Stay on message: respond to critic, return to message

Do opposition research

Rail transit is ...

Fast– 20 min. faster by light rail than driving from

Lincoln/I-25 to downtown (2020)

Efficient– One in five rush hour commuters will be on rail

in corridors where it is built (peak point)

Cost-Competitive– Costs less than adding the same capacity with

highway lanes