Transit for the Win: Inside Successful Ballot Measure Campaigns in Austin and San Antonio - TransitCenter

Transit for the Win: Inside Successful Ballot Measure Campaigns in Austin and San Antonio

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On November 3, residents of Austin and San Antonio voted decisively to fund major transit expansions. 

In both cities, the ballot initiatives were well-designed to expand access to frequent transit at the scale of the entire network. San Antonio’s referendum will mainly fund additional bus service, building off recent improvements to frequency on several routes. Austin’s package will raise billions to build high-capacity rail where it’s needed most, bring all-day frequent service to new routes, and invest in affordable housing. When cities enact ballot initiatives like these, they can make huge strides toward increasing access to high-quality transit. 

How did the winning campaigns come together? What were the policy decisions, coalition-building strategies, and public messages that won at the polls, even in the midst of a pandemic that has significantly reduced transit ridership? Join TransitCenter for a discussion with campaigners Dr. Laura Barberena and Susan Somers about what went into these impressive victories.

Panelists:

Laura Barberena, PhD, Owner, VIVA Politics

Susan Somers, Member, Project Connect Ambassador Board & Vice Chair, City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission

Moderator:

Ben Fried, Communications Director, TransitCenter

This is a webinar on Zoom. For security purposes, only registered Zoom users will be able to join the event.

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