As the White House and Congress debate the future of federal public transportation funding, policy, and programs, hundreds of cities, towns, and neighborhoods throughout the country are creating local coalitions to advocate for public transit at the grassroots level with the backing of the National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA), a national membership organization supported by APTA.

With a base of more than 5,000 registered members, NAPTA currently represents approximately 130 coalitions in 37 states, plus the District of Columbia. Membership is free and open to all transit-based coalitions, riders, advocates, and individuals (NAPTA members are not required to be members of APTA). The organization’s objectives are to:

* create a diverse, committed, and visible national alliance of local public transit coalitions;
* generate a heightened level of advocacy through constituent visits, calls, e-mails, and letters at appropriate times in the congressional decision-making process; and
* link local transit coalitions with new advocacy tools and resources.

In addition to public transit agencies, local and regional coalitions are composed of such diverse organizations as schools and universities, religious institutions, community developers, urban planners, architects, environmental groups, chambers of commerce, state associations, rider advocates, service clubs, and interested individuals.

Membership benefits include access to articles, reports, and studies about the public transit industry; regular monthly communications, legislative updates, and alerts; and two in-person meetings per year.

In addition, NAPTA staff can provide support and resources to local organizations to launch or strengthen public-transit based coalitions. The advantages of establishing formal coalitions include:

* providing active, dedicated leadership and clarifying roles and shared responsibilities among coalition members;
* designing and conducting activities that involve a broad range of constituents;
* educating target audiences and the general public about public transportation’s value, services, and funding needs;
* sharing and coordinating local resources such as experts, information, and funding; and
* creating new relationships and alliances to strengthen the coalition.

For more information, including how to join, contact Nicole DuPuis.