Components of Successful Transit Campaigns:

Case study of Ballot Obsessed Washington State

Andrew Austin, Policy DirectorTransportation 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 rider, @transitdude,

transit nerd.• Became passionate transit

advocate in college.• Employed in public transit

advocacy since 2008.• 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) constant1. 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 CoalitionMuch of the success of a transit

ballot measure or legislative effort is determined before the campaign

is formed!All About Relationships

2- The QuestionWill 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)

16Title – Date - rh

17Title – Date - rh

2002

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

From ST2 to our next Transit Future

Stay in Touch!

www.transportationchoices.orgAndrew Austin: Andrew@transportationchoices.org

@transpochoices@transitdude

THANKS!