What is “Iowa’s Public Transit Gets You There”? The Story Iowa Public Transit Association’s “Iowa’s Public Transit Gets You There” campaign is a messaging platform developed to communicate the safety, cleanliness, and continued reliability of public transportation in Iowa. The campaign shows audiences that during the COVID-19 pandemic, public transportation in Iowa has worked on the frontlines to not only physically get you from one place to another; it adapted to the new and emerging health guidelines and safety protocols that passengers and transit operators now follow. The campaign is based on IPTA’s market research, which showed that key stakeholders’ and passengers’ perceptions of public transit were influenced by three core commitments: (1) following social distancing guidelines and requiring masks or other face coverings for passengers and operators, (2) frequent cleaning and sanitizing of vehicles, and (3) dependability to get you to the essential services, healthcare appointments, and jobs you rely on. Riders and non-riders alike continue to value public transportation—despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—because it gets people to essential services such as jobs and healthcare. They also count on transit systems to enforce safety protocols and follow public health guidelines to ensure a safe and healthy trip. These core commitments guide passengers to feel heard, safe, and more likely to continue riding, reinstate ridership, or begin riding public transportation. This campaign was designed to highlight the safety and health protocols of public transportation and to show that Iowa’s public transit has always been there. It demonstrates that public transportation gets you to essential services and destinations. It’s up to Iowa’s rural and urban transit systems to lead the effort in winning the rider’s confidence and advance the perception of public transportation to match today’s new realities. We have produced a bundle of modern, effective, and affordable communication tools that can be localized to any market and used by all members. The Goal This creative template was designed with flexibility in mind. It can be localized to communities around the state and any market. The goal of this guide is to help you understand the “Iowa’s Public Transit Gets You There” campaign and how to adapt it for your community. We hope you use it to design your own collateral promoting safe, healthy, and dependable public transportation to your audiences. Find out more today!

Today we are celebrating Transit Driver Appreciation Day and while this past year has been especially challenging, our drivers have risen to meet new obstacles and been on the front lines throughout this pandemic. We would just like to take a moment and thank the drivers for the great work they do each day. Transit drivers are the lifeblood of our industry and without them, residents, students and workers would not be able to get to their essential activities. Now with COVID-19 impacting the nation, transit drivers are even more vital in providing critical transportation services for essential workers. We look forward to seeing how each transit system is celebrating this day and will be gathering stories and pictures to share in an upcoming newsletter. Don’t forget to tag #TDAD2021 on your social media posts. From all of us at IPTA, thank you to each and every driver.