Abs we begin budgeting for the next biennium, many agencies will seek local match to assist with transit funding. We asked CPAR Research Associate Morgan Vogel about how best to have conversations about transit with elected officials and staff. She recommended the following strategies when speaking or presenting to local boards and commissions:

• Be prepared to connect the dots. Elected officials and policymakers may not be experts in transit and you will be relied upon to share the importance of rural transit in your community. Be prepared for this in your conversations.
• Share positive results. Agencies may be tempted to advocate for transit by describing the lack of services available or financial struggles they are experiencing. This perpetuates negative stereotypes about transit. Keep it positive and demonstrate the benefits of transit so elected officials are motivated to match.
• Demonstrate community impact. Present broad arguments about how transit elevates the entire community – livability, sustainability, economic development, social mobility, among others. Remind elected officials that transit enhances all forms of community capital.
• Emphasize the voices of passengers. Allow passengers to share their own experiences and stories about the impact of transit with elected officials whenever possible. Hearing testimonials from populations who benefit from transit is a compelling reason to act.
• Know the numbers. Elected officials and policymakers need good data in order to make good decisions. Be prepared with your agency’s budget information so you can confidently advocate for matching funds in your region.
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We hope these strategies are helpful to you when working with local officials, whether that is in the budget cycle, during Nebraska Public Transit Week, or just touching base on a regular schedule.

Bill Bivin
Statewide Mobility Manager

bbivin@unomaha.edu

402-570-0491