(PT)²

Public Transportation Partnership for Tomorrow

Campaign

In 2000, public transportation organizations and corporations across the country formed the Public Transportation Partnership for Tomorrow (PT)2 to launch the "Public Transportation: Wherever Life Takes You Campaign." "Public Transportation: Wherever Life Takes You" is a nationwide education and outreach campaign designed to strengthen support for pubic transportation among the public and local, state and federal officials.

The "Public Transportation Wherever Life Takes You" campaign is educating the public about the many benefits public transportation provides to individuals and communities. By helping the American public appreciate the full value and broad range of advantages, (PT)2 partners will build broader support for increased investment in public transportation policies.

(PT)2 Partners

(PT)2 is supported by over 630 partners in the public transportation industry including transit systems, businesses in manufacturing, supplies, contracting and consulting services, state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, government agencies, transportation management associations, state associations and public interest groups. For a complete list of (PT)2 partners, please click here.

Public Transportation: The Need is Now

Throughout the U.S., public transportation is undergoing a renaissance. Steady increases in transit investment have dramatically improved and expanded public transportation services, attracting record numbers of riders on state-of-the-art systems in metropolitan, small urban and rural areas alike.

Since 1995, ridership has grown 21 percent-faster than vehicle miles traveled and airline passenger miles logged over the same period. In 2001, Americans used public transportation 9.5 billion times-the highest ridership level in 40 years.

Through improved mobility, safety, security, economic opportunity and environmental quality, public transportation benefits every segment of American society -- individuals, families, businesses, industries and communities-and supports important national goals and policies. These numerous benefits provide a powerful case for investing today in the future upgrade and expansion of the nation's public transportation network.

While the public transportation industry reaches record growth, traffic congestion continues to choke America's roadways and restrain community and business development.

The rebirth of public transportation is critically important to America's future, providing more capacity, creating more choices and helping address the needs of a growing and changing population. A balanced, multi-modal transportation network is vital to thriving communities, and citizens and elected officials must better understand the benefits of public transportation and why now is the time for increased investment.

In the coming months, Congress will cast a vote for or against increased investment in public transportation through the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21). (PT)2 continues to help educate, build awareness and encourage support of increased funding levels to positively impact funding decisions in the coming years.

Goals

(PT)2 has four goals:

• To increase federal funding for public transportation;

• To broaden support at the regional, state and local levels;

• To improve perceptions about the value and benefits of public transportation;

• To increase appreciation for public transportation's contributions to local communities.

Messages

• Public transportation creates a wealth of opportunity for individuals and communities. It is a catalyst for economic and social opportunities that help make America more efficient and productive.

• Public transportation provides access for millions of people to get to work, school, medical appointments and other everyday activities.

  • It also provides access to new opportunities by fostering livable communities where people can drive less and walk more-even to community events-meeting the needs of all citizens, particularly those who do not drive or own a car.

• Public transportation is an essential part of a balanced transportation system that includes buses, trains, walkways, bicycle paths, air service and highways giving Americans choices of how to get from place to place.

• Everyday, riding transit allows Americans from all walks of life to make decisions that improve their quality of lives-like shortening commute times to spend more time with their families, contributing to better air quality, and avoiding stressful driving situations.

• Public transportation provides Americans with freedom to live their lives, pursue opportunities, make choices, and enjoy greater access and mobility.

• It helps create strong neighborhoods, a clean environment, and a prosperous economy.

• Ensuring this freedom also requires safety and security. That is why every American public transportation system makes the safety and security of its passengers a top priority.

Activities

(PT)2 activities are focused on building support for public transportation among riders and non-riders, particularly those who are considered activists and opinion leaders. This group, representing one in five Americans, has the ability to shape public opinion and will advocate causes they deem important. The campaign has six components:

• Policy Research -- Provides a foundation for ongoing education and outreach efforts to provide compelling statistics, facts and stories to make the case to elected officials for more funding and generate media coverage.

• Advocacy and Coalition Building -- Consists of national and local efforts to build support for public transportation among interest groups and key constituencies.

• Local Education, Outreach and Implementation -- Providing information and materials to partners enabling them to increase awareness of public transportation's numerous benefits on state, local and regional levels.

• Enhanced Efforts to Educate Congress -- Presenting useful resources, facts and figures to Congress and their staffs so they can make informed decisions regarding federal public transportation policies.

• Communications and Public Affairs -- Supports the other campaign components by maintaining a constant interest in Washington and nationally among media and opinion leaders regarding the benefits of public transportation and the need for increased investment.

• Advertising-Uses several media vehicles, including national cable networks television, national magazines, and major Washington-based print mediums, to promote pro-public transportation messages.