The Voice of Public Transportation in Virginia
Virginia Transit Systems Transit Awards
2004 Transit Awards
Individual Award Winners
Outstanding Leadership Award
This year, the VTA Outstanding Leadership Award was presented to Senator John H. Chichester, top right, for his outstanding leadership during the 2004 General Assembly Session.
Public Service Award
Mr. Gordon F. Rainey, Jr., bottom right, received the 2004 Public Service Award for his work as Chairman of Richmond Friends of Transit.
Transit System Award Winners
Hampton Roads Transit, Alexandria Transit Company and Arlington Transit were recognized for Outstanding Public Transportation Marketing programs.
Outstanding Public Transportation Marketing Award (Large System)
This honor was awarded to Hampton Roads Transit for successfully developing a marketing plan to reach youth riders, ages 12 to 18. Utilizing a multi-media strategy that includes radio, television, and internet advertising combining with promotions and special events, HRT was able to target ridership squarely in this often overlooked demographic.
In the first 30 days HRT saw increases in ridership saw increases in ridership by 11,000 passengers. By the end of the initial campaign, ridership increases were peaking at 25,000 passengers a month. Overall, the campaign has been a tremendous success. In addition to the 2004 Virginia Transit Association’s Outstanding Public Transportation Marketing Award, HRT has received an ADDY award for the television spot, and presented their marketing campaign at the American Public Transportation Marketing and Communications Conference in San Diego, California.
Outstanding Public Transportation Marketing Award (Small System)
Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) received this award for its "Old Town Wayfinder Map" marketing campaign. This specially designed map not only helps commuters find accurate bus bay information, but also assists visitors and tourists who are traveling to key landmarks and historic sites. The map is colorfully laid out block-by-block, leading to the waterfront.
Since its debut in September of 2003, DASH About ridership has increased 22.7% over the same period last year, and total system ridership is up 6% from last year.
Outstanding Public Transportation Marketing (Honorable Mention)
In September of 2003, Arlington County, cooperating with Metrobus, launched several improvements and three new Arlington Transit routes along the Columbia Pike Corridor.
A comprehensive, integrated marketing campaign was launched to introduced to introduce PIKE Ride and educate the public about the new services before the September launch. The six-week long Pike Ride campaign used a mix of advertising, direct mail, grassroots, public relations, and radio.
Current ridership numbers show that public awareness of the new Pike Ride service exceeds 90% of Arlington Transit riders.
Innovative Program Awards were given to Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services and Alexandria Transit Company
Innovative Program Award (Large System)
Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services received this award for a program that improves communications between 6the system and the commuter using an advanced text messaging program. The Loudoun’Clear Program sends text messages to cell phones, pagers, PDA’s and email that lets riders know about service changes, delay and disruptions. Currently, over 500 riders are signed up for Loudoun’Clear, representing over 60% of Loundoun County Transit riders.
Innovative Program Award (Small System)
This award was given to Alexandria Transit for their installation of small but powerful Panasonic "Toughbooks" in road supervisor’s vehicles. Supervisors can now, more quickly and easily access system and street maps, bus and rail schedules, trip times, and trip times and regional connections. The implementation of this new technology has improved daily operations at DASH, and has provided real benefits to their managers, supervisors, operators, and above all, customers.