APTA Announces Coalition Grant Recipients

APTA has announced the recipients of its Local Coalition Grant Program, which provides grants to grassroots organizations that help their communities promote, protect, and expand public transportation service.

The recipients are as follows:

Transit Advisory Board — $10,000
Birmingham, AL

The Transit Citizens Advisory Board will use APTA grant funds to launch a four-month campaign to educate the public and lawmakers about the need for state transit funding. The campaign will utilize in-person engagement, media outreach, and legislative visits.

San Francisco Transit Riders — $10,000
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Transit Riders will use APTA grant funds to expand their “Muni Now, Muni Forever” campaign. The funds will support engagement with community groups, develop educational materials, and host a transit funding summit, among other activities.

San Diego County Paratransit Riders Coalition — $8,000
Oceanside, CA

San Diego County Paratransit Riders Coalition (SDCPRC) will use APTA grant funds to promote the development, funding, and expansion of special needs and accessible paratransit services for the residents of San Diego County.

DC Transportation Equity Network — $10,000
Washington, DC

DC TEN will use the APTA grant funds to roll out the narrative-setting strategy around the “transportation time tax,” a messaging campaign that will give language to the experience of transit trips taking longer than car trips.

Living Streets Lexington — $10,000
Lexington, KY

Living Streets Lexington (LSL) will use APTA grant funds to develop brand and outreach materials, as well as to support organization and events during the annual Week Without Driving. LSL will also use the funds to work with a local advocacy group to develop and roll out a Transit Advocacy Academy.

Ride New Orleans–Coalition for Quality Transit — $10,000
New Orleans, LA

Ride New Orleans will use the APTA grant funds to provide staff training to organizers, help shape coalition programming, and provide stipends to youth programming participants and volunteers. The coalition will also expand its efforts to train youth and senior citizens to ride transit with confidence.

Transit Choices — $10,000
Baltimore, MD

APTA’s grant will support Transit Choices’ campaign “A Vision for a Great Regional Transit System.” The coalition will increase public outreach for the campaign and use the funds for message testing to improve advocacy for increased public transit funding.

Transit for All PA — $10,000
Pittsburgh, PA

Transit for All PA will use the APTA funds to host two statewide rally and advocacy days as well as identify and collaborate with legislative champions in order to advance increased funding.

Providence Streets Coalition — $10,000
Providence, RI

The grant will support Providence Streets Coalition’s Save RIPTA campaign. The coalition is working in the state legislature to secure additional funding for RIPTA.

ATX KIDS CLUB — $10,000
Austin, TX

ATX KIDS CLUB will use the APTA grant funds to support a series of field trips on public transportation. The coalition’s campaign focuses on using these field trips to build a positive association with public transit and help participating youth be lifetime riders. Learn more about ATX KIDS CLUB in a Passenger Transport feature here.

RVA Rapid Transit — $10,000
Richmond, VA

APTA’s grant funds will support the Southside Plaza Bus Stop Rebirth Project. The stop serves 1,000 daily riders, and the coalition will support the bus stop rebirth through installation of a mural as well as landscaping.

Downtown: On the Go! — $10,000
Tacoma, WA

Downtown On the Go will work to increase community awareness and understanding of Pierce Transit. The grant funds will support a ride the bus event, production of bus rider story videos, and engagement with local elected officials.