AC TRANSIT WINS 2021 PUBLIC OUTREACH AWARD: 2021 AC TRANSIT WINS PUBLIC Nominations Open forOUTREACH AWARD:
2021 CSDA EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC OUTREACH & ADVOCACY AWARD (LARGE DISTRICT) WINNER!
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Nominations are Now Open for 2022 CSDA Awards! 2022 Awards!
2021 CSDA EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC OUTREACH & ADVOCACY AWARD (LARGE DISTRICT) WINNER!
AC
Transit’s multiyear community engagement effort to deliver Tempo, the East Bay’s firstever bus rapid transit (BRT) system, has earned the California Special Districts Association’s (CSDA) award for “Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy.” This prestigious award is bestowed upon organizations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to, and engagement with, the people they serve. The 2021 award recognizes AC Transit for the extensive public outreach, impressive local hiring, and effective rider communications undertaken during the construction and launch of the Tempo BRT, which continued despite the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. During construction of the Tempo BRT, AC Transit’s Public Outreach Team engaged nearly 1,500 residents, businesses and civic groups to offer project updates and answer questions. Team members offered presentations at nearly 440 events reaching hundreds Volume 17 • Issue 2
of thousands of people, and distributed tens of thousands of multilingual notifications in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese to keep their diverse community updated on the project’s progress. Moreover, AC Transit partnered with labor unions and local workforce training programs to put people to work – nearly 200 Oakland and San Leandro residents earned $7.8 million in wages while helping to build the BRT! “AC Transit’s steadfast commitment to the people we serve can be seen in the community outreach performed on the Tempo project,” said Elsa Ortiz, AC Transit Board President, as she received the award in Monterey at the CSDA Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase. “Countless hands worked tirelessly to make sure that the East Bay’s diverse communities were supported during construction. This is a hard-earned but well-deserved award, and I am grateful that our industry peers recognize the value and importance of authentic community engagement.”
Tempo travels through nearly a dozen distinct neighborhoods, consisting of more than 1,500 businesses and a diverse population of approximately 170,000 people, many of whom are under-resourced and transit dependent. Reduced-emission Tempo coaches traveling in bus-only lanes bypass traffic bottlenecks to provide faster, more reliable service where it is needed most. Additionally, millions of dollars have been invested to help make area streets safer for other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Today, Tempo is making good on its promises of increased frequency and reliability, enhanced accessibility, and improved safety. CSDA’s Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase will be held in Palm Desert, CA August 21-25. The Awards presentations are a highlight of the event. Our nomination window is open and submissions must be received by May 2, 2022. To view the categories, and submit a nomination, please visit www.csda.net/awards 33
