Asheville News

Asheville Transit System taking bids for companies to help it with marketing plan

Jason Sandford August 27, 2010

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

The Asheville Transit System is advertising for bids for a company to execute a wide-ranging marketing plan. Here’s some of what they’re looking for, and some of the changes they’re looking at:

The Transit Marketing Program calls for a strong messaging campaign aimed at making transit a part of the community lifestyle. There is a need to identify a marketing strategy and brand that will speak to Asheville’s vibrant character while emphasizing the environmental and health benefits of using public transportation. Based on demographic data collected in the master planning process, target audiences include tourists and choice riders.

Additional upcoming changes in Asheville Transit include: new vehicle announcement systems, new fare boxes, the addition of 15 new hybrid and/or diesel buses, increases in the number of bus shelters, and realigning of 1100 unique bus stops.

The City of Asheville is interested in obtaining the services of qualified firms and/or professionals to advise, support, and execute efforts that include, but are not limited to graphic design services, development and execution of an integrated transportation marketing and communications program, website design options and public outreach.

The goals of this marketing program are: 1) improve Asheville Transit’s public image, 2) inform the public of TMP route changes and 3) boost ridership by targeting choice riders and tourists. Deliverables as outlined in this RFP are not all-inclusive and consultants are encouraged to outline additional deliverables that will boost ridership, improve Asheville Transit’s image and keep the public informed.

Here’s a look at what a city of Asheville bus looks like now, and what Asheville Transit System is apparently proposing for a new look for city buses.:

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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3 Comments

eemilla August 29, 2010

My husband and I both regularly use ATS, and our stop does have a schedule that posts times for selected stops; you can also call the dispatch at 828-253-5691 to check on where the bus is. We rarely have super late buses, and generally the drivers don't drive like jackasses (fast acceleration, slamming on breaks or changing lanes).

However, trying to market the buses better is a big fat waste of money. The reason all of my friends and neighbors complain about the bus service is the schedule. Where we live it is impossible to enjoy a night out and use transit there and back. We live near Rt6, and there is a 1.5 hours between runs. The last run from downtown to within 1.25 miles of our home is at 5:30. Of course, we could use Rt36 with evening service and get dropped about 5 miles from our usual bus stop as late as around 11:30; however, it is 6.25 walk with virtually no sidewalks along a fairly busy five lane highway.

Please don't follow the Civic Center and complete study after study only to ignore the results; just add more service.

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Ashley August 29, 2010

The new design looks EXACTLY like the buses of the Hampton Roads Transit in Virginia Beach/Norfolk. Those buses are hybrid though. Maybe that's something they could look into. Asheville's a green city, and having more sustainable transportation would be fitting.

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Bus Rider Everywhere But Asheville August 27, 2010

I have ridden and continue to ride buses in every city I visit or live in, except Asheville. Two simple reasons: waiting 45 minutes to an hour for a bus is not acceptable; and there is absolutely no way to tell, within a five minute range, of when a bus will pass a particular stop. it does no good to know when the bus leaves downtown. Every stop should have a schedule stating specifically when the bus will pass THAT STOP. Other cities do it. Why can't Asheville?

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