Marketing Communicationstransit benefits from $120 per month to $230 — the ... radio spot, and...

Kiss

es

1

A Publication of PPTA, Marketing and Communications •• 2009 •• Volume Number 1

www.ppta.netwww.ppta.net

Marketing&Communications

...Independence Starts Here

Table of Contents

PTMA Student Travel 101........3The Sustaining “rabbit”............3MMVTA Parks It......................4Red goes Green.........................4PAAC’s Twin Tunnels...............5Chester County SCCOOT’ers...5Retaining Employees................6CAMTRAN Rebrand...............6TMACC’s P3............................7PAAC Scores............................7

Support Pennsylvania TransitSupport Pennsylvania Transit

ear PPTA Membersand Public Transit Supporters,

As you are all aware, the nation hasbeen facing challenging times ranging from an

economic crisis, to the battle for energy independence.The 2009 PPTA Spring Conference and Expo entitled "Public

Transportation- The Vehicle for Sustainability" exemplifies all the aspectsand roles our industry plays in conquering those challenges. Therefore, thisSpring’s PPTA’s Marketing and Communications Newsletter highlights theways in which many of us are addressing the economy, energy crisis, and the

shaping of our marketing plans in today's business climate.

Enjoy the following pages of our Committee’s award winning publication. Sincerely,

Marc Roncone, PPTA Marketing & CommunicationsCommittee Chair

W

The new American Recovery and Reinvestment Actmakes an immediate change to the cap for pre-tax transit benefits from $120 per month to $230 — thesame amount that car commuters have been allowedfor pre-tax parking costs. This change accounts for$192 million of the recovery package and will expire on January 1, 2011, unless extended by the Congress.

CAP RAISED ON PRE-TAX PUBLIC TRANSIT BENEFIT

Spring Welcome.........................1ARRA Change...........................1APTA Goes Green......................2Trolleyworks: Phase I................2

What’s your 20?.......................8COLTS’ Classy Colors.............8

HERSHEY 2009

ffããxxxxàà44

Submitted by Martha Pierce

•

•

••

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

••

•


MTRAN announced plans to use stimulus funds for their Joint Development Project, the Trolleyworks Business Park Phase I, known to PPTA members as the site of last August’s Summer Meeting. Faced with space constraints, AMTRAN purchased the 3.2 acre site last yearwith plans to expand its facility while providingeconomic development opportunities for the region. Phase Iwill onsist of renovations to the former trolley barn for the streetcar company.

Renovations will include:1) Historic restoration that retains and upgrades the buildingto code without major alterations as reviewed and approvedby the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission;2) 1,600 square feet of conference room and training spacefor AMTRAN;3) Two tenant suites designed as 2,000 and 2,800 square feetof flex space (available late autumn);4)A common lobby and restrooms.

AMTRAN's intention for undertaking the Trolleyworks Business Park project is threefold: 1) To prudently solve its training and meeting space needs;2) To help shape the community by revitalizing an otherwise underutilized and dilapidated site; and3) To secure long-term leases from the tenant suites that AMTRAN can use for eligible transit operating expensesunder the FTA’s Joint Development Program.

Financing for Phase I of the Trolleyworks Business Park by AMTRAN comes from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds recently enacted by Congress and signed by President Obama.

TTrroolllleeyywwoorrkkss BBuussiinneessss PPaarrkk bbyy AAMMTTRRAANNTTrroolllleeyywwoorrkkss BBuussiinneessss PPaarrkk bbyy AAMMTTRRAANN

By Eric Wolf


Eric Wolf, AMTRAN's General Manager, stated, “AMTRAN's Trolleyworks Phase I is a perfect fit forstimulus funding. The project is ready-to-go and will create or sustain local construction jobs in the short termas well as provide economic development opportunitiesfor area business in the long term.”

ne of the easiest ways to save energy and help the environment is to take public transportation. That’s whatAPTA will be telling young adults across the country as they officially release their new public service announcement(PSA) campaign, “Go Green. Go Public.” You can help spread the word about this humorous new campaign with yourlocal media as APTA distributes a CD and Beta tape of the PSA TV commercial, radio spot, and print ads.

Encouraging your local media to run the PSAs really makes a difference in the effectiveness of the campaign. As the area expert on public transportation, it is important that you contact your local media to let them know the importance of running these public service ads. Media outlets will start receiving the campaign materials next week.

Go to www.apta.com/psa. The ads are customizable for your use. We hope you’ll use these materials as part ofyour outreach efforts as you promote the environmental benefits of public transportation. If you have any questions,contact Mark Neuville at [email protected] or (202) 496-4821.

Go Green. Go Public - APTA’s PSA CampaignO

A

MCTA is expecting twins... stay tuned for more this Fall.



his spring the Partnership Transportation Management Association of Montgomery County (PTMA)is working with four school districts on implementing grouptravel training programs for students in transition. The needfor this program was brought to the PTMA’s attention throughthe efforts of the Montgomery County Education to Work-force Partnership and a community study funded by EasterSeals Project Action.

To begin the process, the PTMA met with transitioncounselors and life skills teachers of each district to discussthe proposed curriculum. This meeting was followed bymeetings with both students and parents to explain the program and benefits to the students in learning how to takepublic transportation. Many of the parents asked for the training as well because they had never experienced takingtransit.

The actual training, which began last month, consistedof the following curriculum: Why Take Transit?, Pedestrian

Issues, Reading a Transit Schedule, Trip Preparation, Ways to Pay, What Happens if?, Putting It All Together and an actual bus or train trip. The PTMA anticipates thatby the end of June over 100 students will be travel trainedand will have taken their first trip on public transportation.

To continue to answer transportation questions for students in transition as well as other students with disabilities, the PTMA launched a new web site on April 15, 2009. The web site, www.montcotransitinfo.org willhelp to provide transportation information to all school districts in Montgomery County. The site will also highlight the PTMA’s Mobility Hotline which is funded by the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board.

The Hotline is a toll-free number which answerstransportation questions and assists in route planning. Anyquestions about the program can be directed to PeggySchmidt at [email protected].

TTrraannssiitt SSeerrvviicceess ffoorr SSttuuddeennttss iinn TTrraannssiittiioonnBy Peggy Schmidt

rabbittransit Goes Green

rabbittransit recently unveiled its new sustainability plan which included the introduction of 10 new hybrid vehiclesinto its paratransit fleet. In addition to utilizing hybrid vehicles, rabbittransit’s “green” plan outlines othereco-friendly initiatives ranging from the use of biodiese

to vanpool promotion as a means to reduce carbon footprints of YorkCounty residents. Outside of transit services, the sustainability plan also focuses on theareas of energy, waste, paper conservation, and vehicular and maintenance initiatives in the organization as a means to reduce, recycle or conserve.

The plan serves to help educate the community and create awareness about rabbittransit’s ongoing environmentally friendly operating policies and procedures. This sustainability strategy iscommunicated through a new website that focuses on current and developing greenpractices, tips for greener living, public transit facts and ways to get involved. An internal“Green Team” was also formed to monitor the progress of eco-initiatives and plan for future sustainability projects. The paratransit hybrids, featuring bright green graphics, were unveiled at a press conference with local legislators. The vehicles also sport a few “green”tips on the back of the vehicle as yet another way for rabbittransit to encourage citizens to practice green living in their daily lives, creating a healthier environment for the entire community.

By Jenna Reedy

TT

with Sustainability Plan Launch


RReedd RRoossee TTrraannssiitt ppllaannss ““GGrreeeenn”” RReennoovvaattiioonn PPrroojjeecctt ffoorr MMaaiinn HHeeaaddqquuaarrtteerrss

ed Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) will be “GoingGreen” while boosting the economy at the same time, with a shovel-ready project for Lancaster County. A portion of the expansion and renovation project will be funded through stimulus money RRTA will receive from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. RRTA will expand and renovate the main Operations Center facility which houses their main administrative offices and maintenance facility. Located at 45 Erick Road, Lancaster; the project will upgrade the 30-year old facility to incorporate “green” energy savings features. Some of the energy savers

include: heating from a waste-oil burner, geo-thermal sources, solar panels and a green roof. The renovations willalso enhance security to the property to increase safety for visitors and employees.

The $7.4M project will receive $5.1M in funding from President Obama’s stimulus bill to encourage boostingthe economy. The project was approved as a “shovel-ready” project because it already received environmental, utilityand other needed clearances. Construction is set to begin in August 2009.

By Jennifer Boley

MMMMVVTTAA OOPPEENNSS NNEEWW PPAARRKK && RRIIDDEE


ith a snip of ceremonial ribbon on December 18,2008, Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority (MMVTA) made it easier for commuters to park their cars and ride the bus with the official opening of the Crookham Park and Ride.The opening of the lot located on S.R. Route 88 and Ginger Hill Rd. under Toll 43’s Joe Montana Bridges inUnion Twp., Washington County was a collaborative project between the MMVTA, the Federal Transit Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. The afternoon ribboncutting festivities included complimentary coffee and pastries for commuters traveling to Pittsburgh during themorning rush hours and concluded with refreshments at theofficial ribbon cutting ceremony.

“MMVTA, with the assistance of the Turnpike Commission, has been working for several years on this park and ride location,” said Chairman of the MMVTA Board Dr. Harry Miale. “I am very pleased to see it finallycome to fruition. The lot will significantly enhance theparking amenities we have available in the Union Townshipand Finleyville areas for riders catching our service to andfrom downtown Pittsburgh.”

By Marc RonconeThe $600,000 Park and Ride project includes

50 paved parking spaces, a bus shelter, a bike rack, and crosswalk leading to a northbound bus pull off area. Additionally it includes a sidewalk for travel toward Pittsburgh, a flashing signal to facilitate the crossing ofState Route 88, lights for nighttime illumination and landscaping. The Crookham Park & Ride Lot is locatedalong the MMVTA’s Route A bus line which travels 365days a year between the Mid Mon Valley and downtownPittsburgh. “With the opening of this lot, it is now evenmore convenient to ride the bus. Taking advantage of public transportation isone of the easiest andmost affordable ways to improve air quality, reduce congestion onour roads, and enhancequality of life,” saidMMVTA Executive Director Valerie Kissell.

RREEDD iiss GGooiinngg GGrreeeenn

WW

R

Photo: (left to right) Chairman of the MMVTA Board Dr. Harry Miale, MMVTA Executive Director Valerie Kissell and Chairman of the Union Township Supervisors Steve Parish officially opened theMid Mon Valley Transit Authority’s Crookham Park and Ride Lot for commuters.

www.ppta.netwww.ppta.net www.ppta.netwww.ppta.net


ight has emerged from the ends of Port Authority of Allegheny County’s twin transit tunnels. Mining of the twin North Shore Connector tunnels extended 2,200 feet beneath the Allegheny River and was completed on January 15, 2009. Crews reliedon a rare 500-ton tunnel boring machine to complete the critical phase of the 1.2-mile light rail extension between downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore. Mining began January 22, 2008 at a “launch pit” near PNC Park -- home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The first tunnel was completed on July 10, 2008. After breaking through a “receiving pit” wall in downtown, crews spent the next several weeks preparing the machine for its return trip to the North Shore. Mining of the second tunnel startedOctober 14, 2008. Work was done by North Shore Constructors JV, a cooperative

joint venture that includes California-based Obayashi Corporation and locally-based Trumbull Corporation. The tunneling activity attracted a great deal of media attention. The DIY Network filmed an episode of its hit television show, Project Xtreme, inthe tunnel on November 2-4, 2008. With Port Authority supervision, host Matt Blashaw and the Project Xtreme crew helped loadconcrete tunnel rings onto a vehicle and transport them to the boring machine. Blashaw worked with the crew as a tunnel ring wasattached and also sat alongside the machine’s operator during mining. When completed in 2011, the North Shore Connector willplay a vital role in linking Pittsburgh’s downtown with the city’s South Hills and North Shore neighborhoods. The light rail extension will foster a cohesive business district for residents and retailers alike. In addition, the project is expected to enhance $1billion in development taking place on the North Shore, benefiting existing business establishments and creating new employment,retail, residential and educational opportunities.

The North Shore Connector will expand rapid transit service to many nearby entertainment venues such as the CarnegieScience Center (690,000 annual visitors), PNC Park (1.8 million average fans) and Heinz Field (497,000 fans). It also will provideaccess to transit for business centers such as Del Monte Foods (600 employees) and Equitable Resources (450 employees). Getting to the North Shore soon will be as easy as leaving your vehicle at a Park and Ride, boarding a train and enjoying the ride.

LLiigghhtt aatt tthhee EEnndd ooff tthhee TTuunnnneell

MALVERN, PA - idership increased 30,151 tips, or 33 percent in 2008 on Chester County’s Coatesville Link, theSCCOOT and Beeline buses!

Ridership statistics indicated an upward trend in spring, 2008, when gas prices began to rise; hitting an all time high when gasprices spiked later that season. Even after gas prices began to fall, ridership remained steady.

“The current economic crisis has forced many of us to tighten our belts,” said Michael E. Herron, TTMACC Executive Director.“Commuters are continuing to choose public transit as a cost-effective and convenient alternative to driving.”

The Coastesville Link, which serves communities west of Coatesville, reported ridreship increases of 30 percent when trip countswent from 59,682 in 2007 to an unprecedented 77,465 in 2008. Record numbers were also reported in October, 2008 when a singlemonthly ridership on the service reached 7,231; the highest in its sixteen year history!

The Southern Chester County Organization On Transportation (SCCOOT) ridership increased 29 percent from 26,700 in 2007 to34,380 in 2008. Again ridership records were broken in October when 3,340 riders used the service compared to 3,281 in 2007.The SCCOOT serves communities between West Chester, Kennett Square and Oxford, and began in 1999. Ridership continues toincrease since this routes inception.

Finally, the Beeline service, wheich began in 2007, increased service by 103 percent! The Beeline boasts ridership numbers of9,059 in 2008; nearly double the 4,588 totals of 2007. This service is a direct route from Coastesville and Downingtown to GreatValley. Funding for the Beeline is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation under Congestion Management forthe U.S. Route 202, Section 300 reconstruction project.

SSCCCCOOOOTTeerr CCoommmmuutteerrss BBrreeaakk RReeccoorrddss iinn 22000088By Derrick Stokes

By Dante CalderoneL

R


JOHNSTOWN, PA- amTran (Cambria County Transit Authority) launched a rebranding effort earlier this year, encouraging residents to make 2009 the year they started living healthier by using public transit. The campaign, which features mostly print and billboards, emphasizes using CamTran’s multi-modal system to get around the area. CamTran’s bus fleet in its urbandivision is en tirely equipped with bikes racks. When paired with the bus system and CamTran’s 117 year-old Johnstown Inclined Plane, residents can easily hop from one means of transportation to the next.

“For years we looked at each of our assets separately. We had the buses, the Incline, and then the bike racks,” says Rose Lucey-Noll, CamTran’s Executive Director.

“Now, when you combine them all into one marketing effort, it makes sense to people that by using all of themtogether, you really can ditch your car and use mass transit.” The trend is beginning to catch on with youngerresidents of Cambria County. We recently received an email from a 28 year old who just returned to the county. Hestated, “I am in the works of trying to change my lifestyle to incorporate healthier living and be eco-friendly. Using thebus and riding my bike helps me do both.” The habit becomes infectious, as he said he’s “already talked a co-worked of mine into riding the bus and taking full advantage of the rack for his bike.” Attached is an ad and some of our billboards that have made this campaign a head turner in our community.


hether it’s reality or perception, the economy (including the price of ga$)is affecting employees and their commute to work. It’s even affecting decisions aboutwhere to work – because these days, people are hesitant to take jobs that require longercommutes. The three TMAs in Pittsburgh (Airport Corridor Transportation Association(ACTA), Oakland Transportation Management Association (OTMA) and the PittsburghDowntown Partnership TMA (PDP TMA) recognized this fact and published “How toRetain Employees and Enhance Recruiting in a Difficult Economy”.

The brochure offers real life solutions and assistance from the TMAs toemployers to help employees with the cost of commuting as well as a variety of helpful strategies to recruit and retain employees. Car-pooling, van-pooling, a pre-tax transportation benefit, employer contributions to transit passes, and companysponsored/operated shuttles are just a few examples. Each TMA “customized” thebrochure by including an insert of fast facts on the workforce in their areas. Jobs byindustry and average salary information were included tips.

Go to www.acta-pgh.org under the “Publication” section or contact AmyMathieson at ACTA at (412) 809-3508 for your copy.

By Amy Matheson

SSoouutthhwweesstteerrnn PPeennnnssyyllvvaanniiaa TTMMAAssLLaauunncchh NNeeww PPuubblliiccaattiioonn

Bus. Bike. Incline. CamTran.

Research your new commute at

www.camtranbus.com

Your new engine.

Your new trunk.

Your new high beams.

Your new horn.

Dive into your commute feet first.

To live a healthier lifestyle. To teach your children to be more environmentally conscious. To get

to class quicker and easier. Whatever your reason, make 2009 the year you dove into your com-

mute feet first by biking to the bus stop or Incline to get around. Does that hill look too daunting?

Worried what would happen if it rained? All of our urban division busses are equipped with bike

racks, so you can load your bike on and proceed quickly and easily. This Spring, grab a helmet and

brush up on those hand signals. We’ll join you every step of the way.

cc

By Jill E. Nadorlik

CCAAMMTTRRAANN LLOOOOKKSS TTOO RREEBBRRAANNDD AASS AA MMUULLTTIIMMOODDAALL SSYYSSTTEEMM

W



MALVERN, PA – he Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) is hosting a transportation conference on Monday, April 27 at the Villanova University Conference Center in Radnor, PA. The forum, entitled “P3’s,Are You Ready,” will have two panels of experts, one to represent each sector, as well as keynote speaker Congressman JimGerlach. The economic environment for the use of public-private partnerships (P3’s) is rapidly changing, presenting new opportunities and challenges at all levels of government (federal, state and local). The focus of the conference is to discuss the challenges, opportunities and benefits of this new environment.The agenda is as follows:

8:30-9:00 Registration, Breakfast/Networking9:00-9:30 Introductions, Program Overview9:30-10:45 Public Sector Panel – Marion Pulsifer, Consulting, LLC - Moderator

Discussion Topics: Regulatory and Institutional Requirements; Risk Sharing; Political Will; Organization Culture and Business Practices, and Public Accountability.

Panelists: Letitia Thompson, Administrator, Reg. 3 FTA/ Byron Comati, Dir. Strategic Planning & Analysis, SEPTA/ State Rep. Joseph Markosek (D-25), Majority Chair – Transp.Comm./ State Rep. Richard Geist (R-79), Minority Chair – Transp. Comm./ Cheryl Jones, Project Finance Advisor, USDOT-TIFIA/ Toby Fauver, Deputy Secretary, PennDOT/ David Seltzer, Principal, Mercator Advisors

11:00-12:15 Private Sector Panel – Frank Russo, Consulting, LLC - ModeratorDiscussion Topics: What are the business models? Where and why they work best or do not? What are the risk factors/economics?

Panelists: Boyd Gordon, V.P., Project Finance, URS Corp./ George Tapas, Sr. Manager, P3 Programs, URS Corp./ Ronald Hartman, Sr. V.P. Veolia Transportation/ Thomas Sklow, CPA, CCIM, V.P., Liberty Property Trust/ Michael Parker, Principal Jeffrey A. Parker Associates/ Brian Murphy, Dir. Business Development, Bombardier Transportation/ Alan Hogg, Dir. North America, John Laing, USA (Ltd)

12:15-12:45 Audience Q & A, Program Summary1:00-2:30 Luncheon, Keynote Speaker: Congressman Jim Gerlach

Visit the TMACC website (www.tmacc.org) to read the panelists’ biographies and for registration information.

TTMMAACCCC TTOO HHOOSSTT PPUUBBLLIICC//PPRRIIVVAATTEE PPAARRTTNNEERRSSHHIIPP FFOORRUUMM

fter the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, Port Authority of Allegheny County had to come up with an equally impressive game plan in order to defeat the traffic headaches that come with hosting a victory parade.

Port Authority also was responsible for another small, yet important, detail -- transporting Steelers players, family members, coaches and even team owner, Dan Rooney, to the parade. Appropriately, Port Authority used six gold buses to transport the six-time Super Bowl champs from the team’s South Side practice facility located about six miles away. “We are very proud of our championship-caliber performance in getting fans to and from the parade and to other appointments,” said Port Authority CEO Steve Bland. “We moved an additional 65,000 riders in one day and only experienced minimal delays. Our game plan worked very well and we were happy to be part of the celebration.”

By Sarah Pletcher

By Dante Calderone

PPoorrtt AAuutthhoorriittyy SSccoorreess

Photo: Steelers Receiver Hines Ward departs a Port Authorityof Allegheny County bus in preparation of the Super BowlXLIII Celebration Parade that took place February 3, in downtown Pittsburgh.

A

T

Photo provided by Port Authority of Allegheny County

Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association600 North Third Street, Fourth FloorHarrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101-1113

Marketing&Communications


Change Service Requested

GGeettttiinn’’ NNoottiicceedd!!enn State is challenging itself to go "green" this month.

As a part of its "My 20" Campaign,” the University is invitingall students, faculty, and staff to reduce their energy consumptionand use of natural resources by 20 percent during Earth Week(Sunday, April 19 – Saturday, April 25). CATA is also encouraging all of its riders and the public to join the initiative.

The idea behind the campaign is that, by going greenfor one week, Penn Staters and those throughout our communitycan do their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And, ofcourse, small changes in the daily routines of a large group ofpeople can have a big environmental impact for future generations.

Penn State is asking its community to take a pledge to begin doing three of these activities during Earth Week and continuethem afterwards:

-Carpool, take public transit, walk or ride a bike to work-Reduce shower time by at least 5 minutes -Turn off all lights and electronics (computers, TVs, games, fans) when not in use-Use compact fluorescent light bulbs-Recycle -Take stairs instead of an elevator

Penn Staters and the public can visit http://www.my20.psu.edu tofind more environmentally friendly tips, add their own personal"green" stories and ideas, and find out what others in the community are doing to reduce their fuel consumption. Information on how public transportation plays a part in the reduction of fuel consumption and its overall benefits to the community may be found, too, on the CATA website,www.catabus.com. Information is available, too, for thoseinterested in exploring the idea of ridesharing via CATA's CENTRE COMMUTE program, which helps establish vanpoolsand carpools from outlying areas into the Centre Region.

hen the County of Lebanon Transit Authoritydecided to run buses with different color schemes, it flewin the face ofconventionalwisdom. Severalof the “oletimers” out there insistedthat it was imperative for an Authority to have the exact same appearance on all its vehicles in order to establish branding. Maybe so, but the multiple color schemehas worked well for COLT, and has led to an increase in positive comments from the public. “Hey, I just saw abright green COLT bus going into the Mall”, or “whatcolor is the next one going to be?” are just a couple examples of the positive feedback we have received.COLT has one design, with the 5 bright color schemes.

We intend to repeat the same 5 colors on future purchases, and the design usedis sufficient to establish the levelof branding needed

in our community; nobody mistakes a COLT bus forsomething else! We’re “gettin’ noticed”, and ridershipis UP!

PPeennnn SSttaattee && CCAATTAA.. .. ..

By Jacqueline Sheader

By Teri Giurintano

PPTA mourns the loss of our long-time friends, Ann Gaumond and Harold Jenkins. Our heartfeltcondolences go out to their families and many, manyfriends.

AApprriill 1199 -- 2255PPrroommoottee EEaarrtthh WWeeeekk CChhaalllleennggee

PP W

Marketing Communicationstransit benefits from $120 per month to $230 — the ... radio spot, and...

Documents

Transcript of Marketing Communicationstransit benefits from $120 per month to $230 — the ... radio spot, and...