Components of Successful Transit Campaigns: Case study of Ballot Obsessed Washington State Andrew Austin, Policy Director Transportation Choices

ABOUT TCC Seeks to bring Washingtonians more and better transportation choices -- real opportunities to take a bus, catch a train, ride a bike, or walk. In 2014, we worked on campaigns that saved more than 10 million transit rides in WA. Have successfully passed 17 of 23 measures in Washington since 2008.

About Me Transit transit nerd. Became passionate transit advocate in college. Employed in public transit advocacy since Former TCC field director, founding of executive director of Americans for Transit and current TCC policy/political dir.

We passed more than 20measures in the last 6 years. Mass Transit Now (ST) 2008 Island Transit 2009 Valley Transit 2010 Intercity Transit 2010 Jefferson Transit 2010 C-Tran 2011 King County 2011 Seattle 2014 Cities like Bellingham, Leavenworth and Snohomish too.

In transit campaigns some things are constant

The (mostly) constant 1.The transit agency: Be deeply respected and trusted or get out of the way and let others carry your banner. 2.The breadth of the coalition has a direct positive correlation with the campaign’s success. 3.Residential density is a predictor for transit support at the ballot. Turn out the urban base and lose the suburbs by as little as possible.

1- The Transit Agency The public perception of your transit agency prior to launching can SINK or SWIM your campaign before the effort is launched! Do people trust or distrust agency? How are their relationships with the community? Agency staff and advocates need to build trust & relationships on the clock and off.

The agency should be the messenger for…. Messages and questions pertaining to service, finances, budgets, and planning. Editorial and newspaper discussions to convey they facts and agency information. Anytime there are questions about the agency or its integrity. Use your elected officials or board members as key voices.

Agencies that are successful Generally fall into one of two categories: 1 - You are a pillar of the community. You have great name recognition, your staff are well known, and you have strong community partnerships. 2 – No one has any idea you exist.

2- The Coalition Much of the success of a transit ballot measure or legislative effort is determined before the campaign is formed! All About Relationships

2- The Question Will the Chamber of Commerce & Central Labor Council endorse and actively support your campaign? And who is your opposition and what will they do?

Plus Rally the Transit Nerds!

3- Maps Don’t Lie… So Plan Accordingly (add photo here and more maps)

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Snapshot: Where the Seattle (and much of the country) is.

From ST2 to our next Transit Future

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