RTA rolls out Summer Campaign, encourages riders to show “We Can All Agree on Transit”
This summer the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of northeastern Illinois is launching a unifying marketing campaign to focus on the benefits of riding transit. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace provide two million rides each weekday and riders and non-riders alike benefit from transit in the six-county system.
“Transit is the great equalizer, bringing people together from all across our region,” says RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden. “Riders on public transportation save time and money, and non-riders benefit because public transportation in our region means fewer cars on the road. This summer, the RTA and its transit agencies will focus on how transit unites us and opens doors to economic opportunity for all.”
After nearly a decade without a State of Illinois capital program, transit in the RTA region will get a much-needed infusion from the Rebuild Illinois bill passed on June 2 by the General Assembly. The bill provides $2.7 billion in bonding authority for transit infrastructure and annual, sustainable state revenue for capital investments in public transportation. The RTA has long advocated for the funding to address capital needs of $30 billion for the transit system projected over the next ten years.
The agency traditionally promotes transit ridership during the summer months, when the region is flush with outdoor concerts, sporting events, festivals and more. This year, the RTA is adding a unifying message to its ridership promotion: #WeCanAllAgreeOnTransit.
Short social media posts by the RTA will feature “opposites who agree on transit,” such as “I like jazz and she likes rock ‘n’ roll, but we agree on taking public transportation to the festival,” or “I like the Sox and he likes the Cubs, but we agree on taking public transportation to the game.”
The transit agencies are inviting riders to record their own “opposites can agree” posts or photos with accompanying language that tell their stories. If you are interested in taking part, please send an email to communications@rtachicago.org.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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