Chapter 10 – Marketing
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SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN CHAPTER 10 – MARKETING The success of any public transit program is dependent in large part on public acceptance and understanding of the services offered. A strong marketing and customer service strategy will assist the Local Transportation Authority in retaining existing public transit customers, attracting new customers and developing support for the new public transit incentives. As a community resource since 1975, County Express’ marketing efforts have been modest. Therefore, this Marketing narrative presents the foundation of a strategic approach intended to enhance community mobility, broaden the County Express customer base, increase annual ridership, and realize the lowest reasonable public subsidy. To accomplish this, the Local Transportation Authority should allocate no less than four percent of its annual operating budget to marketing in the first year of this Plan, and 3.5 percent every year thereafter. The strategies outlined herein are intended to support those service offerings in place at the time of the evaluation, as well as those service recommendations discussed herein. The proposed approach includes a mechanism for the effectiveness of impact. Overview of Marketing Efforts Some of the current marketing materials appeared to be out-of-date. Concurrent with the development of this report, a redesign of the current County Express website was completed. Print The principal transit marketing tool is the County Express service brochure. The brochure is presented in a double-sided, full-color, accordion-fold format with a finished size of 5.5 inches by 3.75 inches. Basic individual design elements include timetable, route map, fare details, and customer information. The brochure is updated when significant service modifications are made. The most recent changes were made in 2004 and again in 2006, with a print run of approximately 5,900 units for the latter. Brochures are available at county/city SAN BENITO LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY PAGE 131 SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN offices, major employers (including Granite Rock, Milgard, Hazel Hawkins, Ridgemark, and San Benito Foods), and educational facilities throughout San Benito County. Broadcast As a service to the community, County Express has enjoyed complimentary radio spots, via KMPG 1520, for rider alerts, service changes, and special events. Internet Prior to its redesign, County Express’s website content appeared to be both accurate and up-to-date. With the exception of its vibrant appearance, the site appeared to be functioning properly. While it is always possible to make enhancements to a site’s appearance, navigation, and content, none are more crucial than site accessibility. Further, in the December 2006 onboard survey, nearly half of all respondents indicated no familiarity with the County Express website (www.SanBenitoCountyExpress.org). It is recommended the website should be included in all County Express marketing materials and that the site content be updated no less frequently than once a quarter. Further, interior vehicle advertisements can promote the website as the easiest way to retrieve the most current information about the service. Events It is vital to its success that County Express be viewed as a good neighbor and benefit to its community. In the past year, the County Express has maintained a presence at many local events in San Benito County. Events included the San Benito County Fair, Hazel Hawkins Health Fair, Gavilan College registration, and Career Fair. At each of these events, a representative has been present to pass out transit brochures with information about Bike Week and Rideshare Week. San Benito County is an area rich in community and has no shortage of events throughout the year. As a result, it is recommended that County Express expand SAN BENITO LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY PAGE 132 SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN its involvement to other events in the community. Further, to encourage and reward trial ridership, the distribution of free-ride coupons is strongly encouraged. Promotions In recent months, County Express has promoted fitness, environmental consciousness, safety, and cost-savings through its participation in the Council of San Benito County Governments’ Bike Week, Rideshare Week, and Senior Safe Mobility Week. During the promotion of Bike Week, the County Express distributed free-ride tickets to any persons riding their bike to a County Express bus stop. Posters displayed throughout Downtown Hollister as well as brochure distribution served to generate public awareness. One of the events during Bike Week is the Commuter Bike Challenge where free lunches are offered to the employer with the most participants and a drawing for a $1,000 cash prize. Further, local news publications and radio stations were also utilized as advertising outlets for the event. Both of these promotions had their own web home, where people could learn about or register for the events. County Express should become a more active participant in the event to generate more public awareness and support for the system. At the San Benito County Fair, the Local Transportation Authority and the Council of Governments promote County Express services and Rideshare Week. Rideshare Week is an event that is promoted by the Council of Governments in partnership with the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments. Like Bike Week, County Express should become a more active participant in the even to generate more public awareness and support for the system. SAN BENITO LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY PAGE 133 SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Bus Stop Amenities Each bus stop functions as the “front door” to the County Express service. Signage informs new riders where to catch the bus and potential riders that transit service travels through the area. In addition, each sign creates an impression among non-riders, generating service and brand awareness. Based on the December 2006 ride check, it appears some of the “established” bus stops throughout the County Express system were identified by “Intercounty” stop signage. Signage was not clearly identified as a part of the County Express Fixed Route system; as a result, it is recommended that the Local Transportation Authority coordinate all appropriate stops with identifiable bus stop amenities. Further, all bus stops and shelters were equipped with an identification sign that included the County Express logo. While these signs are effective in function, many are defaced or deteriorating. Damaged signage needs to be repaired or replaced so that it may function properly. Bus stop amenities such as pole-mounted schedules with service information (info posts) are available at many bus stops. However, current bus stop amenities are generic in design and provide contradictory information. Many signs feature only some of the routes that stop there, while others had signs for all routes that stop at that point. Those stops equipped with info posts were inconsistent with the according stop signage as noted above. For instance, some displayed the Intercounty signage, yet lacked an Intercounty timetable on the associated info post. Bus stop amenities are a cost-effective means of raising general community awareness as well as providing a much-desired amenity to current customers. Given the availability of effective, easy-to-read printed service information materials, reworking these materials into an appropriate format for these bus stop information display units appears to be a feasible undertaking, whether through current staff or an outside consultant. SAN BENITO LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY PAGE 134 SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Vehicles Each County Express vehicle was clearly identifiable from both a color scheme and marking or signage point of view. At the time of the December 2006 ride check, however, not all County Express vehicles had functioning headsigns. A headsign, located on the outside front of the vehicle above the windshield, displays the vehicles route or destination information. Some vehicles were equipped with headsigns that were either broken or in poor condition. Brochure holders were not installed on any County Express vehicles. Some drivers were supplied with brochures that are distributed to passengers upon request. All vehicles should be equipped with brochure holders (placed behind the driver) which are fully stocked at all times. Interior signs (i.e., car cards) were not present. This is a promotional channel that can be used for the marketing of transit services as well as local/community- based programs or services. This approach would work well for County Express, and the installation of interior signage is recommended for all vehicles. Doing so provides County Express with a captive audience. Exterior vehicle advertising represents a desired balance between maintaining the visual integrity of the fleet while also providing some revenue generation element. At the time of evaluation, no vehicles display exterior advertising. Given community sensibility, as well as the relatively modest fleet size, maintaining visual integrity by opting not to include exterior advertising is an appropriate decision. SAN BENITO LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY PAGE 135 SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Customer Service The following table summarizes the assessment of County Express’ pre-Short Range Transit Plan marketing materials and subsequent recommendations. Exhibit 10-1 Marketing Assessment Marketing Positives Negatives Recommendations Element Service Convenient size. Compressed with Brochure