![](http://passengertransport.apta.com/aptapt/images14/spacer.png) |
STAND UP FOR TRANSPORTATION DAY |
|
![](http://passengertransport.apta.com/aptapt/images14/spacer.png) |
CLASSIFIEDS |
» Triangle Transit, Durham, NC, is seeking a general manager/CEO. [More] |
» The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, Aspen, CO, has an opening for a chief operating officer. [More] |
» The National Transit Institute requests proposals regarding the administration of its Managing the Environmental Review Process Seminar. [More] |
View more Classified Ads » |
TO PLACE AN AD: E-mail the requested date(s) of publication to: ptads@apta.com. Mailing address is: Passenger Transport, 1666 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Ad copy is not accepted by phone. DEADLINE: 3 p.m. EST, Friday, one week prior to publication date. INFORMATION: Phone (202) 496-4877. |
APTA's Call to Action: Stand Together on National Stand Up for Transportation Day, April 9
APTA is calling for public transportation agencies and businesses across the country to conduct a media or special event on April 9 for Stand Up for Transportation Day (SU4T), a national day of advocacy to underscore the importance of infrastructure investment and the need for a long-term surface transportation authorization bill.
As Passenger Transport went to press, 135 organizations signed on to conduct an event. See the map and list of participants here.
APTA selected the date so events would have the greatest potential to resonate with the news media at the traditional start of the construction season in many parts of the country, to attract members of Congress (who will be on spring recess in their home districts) and to stress the urgent need for federal funding as MAP-21 rapidly reaches its expiration on May 31, said APTA Chair Phillip Washington, general manager and chief executive officer of the Denver Regional Transportation District.
"We need to conduct media and high-impact events in as many American cities, suburbs and rural communities as possible," Washington said. "Stand Up for Transportation is our national day of advocacy when we unite in common purpose around a crystal-clear message: It's time to set aside partisanship and once again act in the best interest of our country to repair, strengthen and build transportation infrastructure."
Follow three key steps to streamline event planning for SU4T:
Act Now
Take action quickly to improve the likelihood that the news media and members of Congress can attend. "This is prime time to get their ear," Washington said. "We'll never have a better chance to show them the powerful ways public transportation helps build this nation." APTA has posted several suggestions for events on its website:
Organize Allies
One key to a successful event is to identify a wide range of partners, stakeholders and advocates. "We must rally our friends to help us make the case, to cut through the clutter and get our messages heard," Washington said.
One way to begin, advises APTA, is to contact nearby public transit agencies and APTA business members to broaden the event's reach and impact. Visit the APTA website for a list of other suggested partners.
Count on APTA
APTA has developed a wide range of resources participating organizations can customize, including talking points, action plans, sample documents and logos.
As a run-up to April 9, APTA will issue weekly announcements, including news releases, social media postings and infographics, and will encouraging riders and public transit advocates on a national level to sign an online petition and send emails to their members of Congress.
On April 9, APTA will promote the event to national media and will organize a Thunderclap--an online tool that helps amplify a single message.
Next Steps
To use APTA's customizable resources, see a list of agencies and businesses that are holding events and get ideas for participation, click here and search on "Stand Up for Transportation." For additional details, contact Rose Sheridan.
|