Advancing Transit Improvement Measures Through Effective Community Outreach Lyndon Henry Data Analyst Capital Metro • Austin, Tx CFTE Transit Initiatives Conference Austin, Texas 11 June 2007

Experience from Rail Transit Ballot Measures

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Austin – 2000 , 2004 San Antonio – 2000 Kansas City – 2001 , 2006 Cincinnati – 2002 Houston – 2003 Tucson – 2003 , 2006 • Won • Lost

Rail Transit Ballot Measures Are Very Different!

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Not like most electoral campaigns Rail (and sometimes Quality Bus) is usually unfamiliar Rail conjures images of freight trains Prominent – attracts intense scrutiny Impacts an entire corridor of neighborhoods Unites diverse range of opponents Well-funded brigade of professional critics

3 Main Allies in Transit Improvement Efforts

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Grassroots pro-transit groups Transit agency leadership and staff Local civic leadership

“Hang together, or hang separately…”

Translation: Be on the same page…

Transit Coalition Strategy

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Transit agency's image is important Make sure accomplishments are emphasized Don't miss opportunities Don't promise the impossible (“Rail project will solve congestion”) Emphasize value of real-world, achievable goals (“Rail line will carry 30% of peak travel in the Lamar corridor by 2020”) Always assume it’s an uphill struggle Grassroots organizers critical – it’s not all mass media and official forums GOTV – and don’t forget early voting!

Responding to Critics

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Don't ignore them Don't miss opportunities, including debates (“ostrich” tactic doesn't work) Don't echo opponents' slogans (They say “Transit Sucks!” We say “No!”) Don't try to respond to every single detail Avoid confusing, mind numbing "numbers trivia“ Focus on refuting 2-3 critical points to establish credibility – try using humor Supporters’ credibility vs. opponents’ Keep larger vision and message in view Beware late campaign “bombshells” (endorsements, “research reports”, etc.)

Austin Light Rail Campaign (2000)

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Legacy of strong grassroots support for rail transit Excellent transit plan – no new taxes!

$600 million plan = big risk Awful transit agency image – legacy of scandal “We can't lose” attitude Early disorganization and missed opportunities Resources expended on “branding” and “Light rail will cure congestion” message No clearly defined message – everyone on a different page Surprised by critics’ claims, “numbers” game Effective coordination only in last few months

Austin All Systems Go Campaign (2004)

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Legacy of grassroots support for rail transit Much less ambitious, less costly plan $90 million = much smaller risk Plan backed by some former opponents – broader community buy-in Agency image boosted by excellent transit awareness campaign (“You've gotta ride!” and “All Systems Go”) Strong campaign organization – coordinated, clear message “Uphill struggle” attitude

Conclusions

Grassroots Pro-Transit Groups

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Major role in informing, “educating”, and mobilizing the public Valuable source of ideas and information for transit agency Need to avoid adversarial role with transit agency Need to understand dynamics of transit agency Need to learn art of persuasion

Transit Agency

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Need to respect & listen to grassroots input Transit agency's image is important Make sure accomplishments are emphasized Provide facts & figures Avoid “answer panic” Be aware of informational resources

Civic Leadership

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“Grand Vision” important - but so are facts Public & voters expect some solid answers Focus on 2-3 most critical or vulnerable issues Don't echo opponents' slogans Don't miss opportunities, including debates (“ostrich” tactic doesn't work) Organize & coordinate campaign and message – ensure everyone “on the same page”

Valuable Informational Resources

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Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE) – CFTE.org

Light Rail Now - LightRailNow.org

Victoria Transport Policy Institute - VTPI.org

APTA Public Transportation website PublicTransportation.org

PublicTransit.us

Regional transit advocacy sites (e.g., Denver Transit Alliance)

Lyndon Henry

Data Analyst 512.369-7756 [email protected]

512.441-3014 [email protected]