While we certainly can’t propose a method for overhauling the legislative process (at least not in a blog post), we can push the need for a strong, continuous public affairs campaign aimed at informing riders of the ongoing political fight for better service. A few weeks ago we commended the CTA for its poignant effort to take the side of riders in the collective battle against downstate legislators and the governor.
Inspiring and maintaining that activist momentum among the public through comprehensive information distribution can have very influential impacts. Take for instance the recent release of “Transportation for Tomorrow,” the report by the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission, which calls for a $225 billion investment over the next fifty years to simply reach a state of good repair nationwide. The number alone would likely shock many to dial their respective legislators. Even the website alone (www.transportationfortomorrow.org) is a great source of catalytic facts. A basic email blast to all monthly pass riders could be enough to set the wheels in motion.
Or, have a look at what two of the country’s most influential decision-makers – Schwarzenegger and Bloomberg – had to say about the nation’s transportation infrastructure, calling for increased investment under the guises of Building America’s Future Coalition. Such a patriotic tone would certainly play well with those who ride shoulder to shoulder with their fellow citizens each day.
There is change in the air – whether it is on the local, state, or national level – and it is aimed at improving transit. Agencies now bear the charge of not only informing their customers of these ever-so-important motions, but also inciting them to take action on a regular basis – not simply when their own means of travel are threatened.
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