Job opportunities in this issue's classifieds include a public transit agency president/CEO and executive director of a national program!
 

As part of its “Telling Our Story” initiative, APTA has partnered with the organizers of the annual Earth Day movement, which marks its 40th anniversary on April 22 of this year, to develop outreach tools and creative advertising.

Specifically, APTA is working with the organizers to develop an Earth Day Toolkit that will include template press releases, sample proclamations, outreach ideas, and creative advertising that highlights the use of public transportation—among other activities—to help save the environment.

Public transportation is a green industry, and transit agencies are working to make it greener.

The advertising campaign will feature a few celebrities and everyday people, including public transit riders flashing the “I am E” sign noting their commitment to the environment.

APTA Chair M.P. Carter has made “Telling Our Story” her signature initiative, encouraging APTA and all its members to tell the story of public transportation’s many benefits in new ways, to even wider audiences.

Public transportation agencies will join in the celebration of Earth Day with a variety of green initiatives and activities aimed at raising awareness and improving the environment.

The broad audience Earth Day reaches is a perfect venue for the public transit industry to promote the environmental benefits of public transportation.

This story is one of critical importance for lawmakers and the general public. Whether it’s a stronger economy, better environmental sustainability, or greater energy independence, public transportation takes us there.

These efforts will be guided by the Telling Our Story Task Force, led by co-chairs Tom Costello, assistant managing director of the Champaign-Urbana (IL) Mass Transit District, and Alice Wiggins-Tolbert, director of project development for Parsons Brinckerhoff in Atlanta.

APTA invites all members to tell their stories and help spread the message of the importance of public transportation for a stronger, healthier, more prosperous America.

In preparation for this effort, APTA will hold a webinar to assist local transit agencies with Earth Day event planning at 2 p.m. Eastern time on March 18. To participate in the webinar, call (800) 377-8846. For information, contact Mantill Williams or Mark Neuville.

Sharing Transit Stories in Florida

In Florida, the spotlight is about to shine on public transportation riders!

The Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA) invites members of the public to participate in APTA’s nationwide “Telling Our Story” effort by sharing their true stories about the benefits they have received by using any of the state’s 28 public transportation systems.

Entrants are urged to be creative and tell what they are doing with the time and money they save by taking public transit—through a brief essay, video, or photo and caption. The judges are looking especially for stories, photos, and videos that can be used in a statewide campaign to educate the public on the benefits of transit and to show how individual Floridians are enjoying their rides. 

The association must receive all submissions by May 31. The first-place winner will receive a 42-inch flat screen high-definition television set, while second and third places will each receive a third-generation iPod Touch.

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