2013 RTD Action Plan Citizens Academy

1. Citizens’ Academy – 2013‐01
Individual Action Plan Development Worksheet
Please be as specific as possible in the development of your Action Plan as this will help ensure your success!
Be prepared to present your action plan in class on April 10 or April 17. To receive your Academy Certificate of Completion, you must e‐mail your
completed Action Plan (this document) to Kathleen at kosher@transitalliance.org by no later than April 17, 2013.
NAME: ____Lisa Amidon__________
Overall Action Plan Goal
(What am I going to do?)
Tactics
(How am I going to implement my Action Plan Goal?)
Timeline
(When will I accomplish my tactics?)
My overall goal is to assist RTD with
developing lifelong transit system riders.
Learning to rely on public transit to get
around at an early age sets the stage for
continued lifelong use.
Youth in their teens are heavily
dependent on public transport in cities
with established mass transit systems. I
would like to assist RTD in cultivating
their future ridership by proactively
providing positive transit experiences to
youth.
My aim is to get kids familiar with using
public transportation to connect with
their community.
Present to RTD & Work with RTD to assist/facilitate in the
establishment of the following:
 Station & Place of Interest List
 Strategic Partnerships
 Strategic Sponsorships
12‐24 Months
Set‐up a meeting with Director Larry Hoy as my
representative for District J on the RTD Board of Directors to
obtain his “buy‐in”.
Within Three (3) Months (By August 2013)
720‐295‐4696
larry.hoy@rtd‐denver.com
Touch base with RTD Director Bill James – I am an active
member of his James Real Estate Services, Inc. LinkedIn
group—Real Estate and Transportation. I would like to
obtain his “buy‐in” and influence.
Within Three (3) Months (By August 2013)
Bill James – RTD District A Director
303‐316‐6768
Set‐up a meeting with Pauletta Tonilas
RTD FasTracks Public Information Manager
303‐299‐2469 (office)
Following the meeting with Larry Hoy, I
will set‐up a meeting with Pauletta
Tonilas . 303‐299‐2469
pauletta.tonilas@rtd‐fastracks.com

2.
Action Plan Outcome(s) Measure(s) of Success (How will I know if I am successful?)
Meetings Getting the meetings set up and held would be the first measure of success.
DPSD Meeting Getting a meeting with the appropriate person would be the first measure of success.
Getting their “buy‐in” to assist in the approach with RTD would be the second measure of
success.
Organic Growth within RTD I would view any influence on RTD in regard to my action plan as a positive measure of
success. This may be a slow‐going process; however, it may also take on a life of its own.
Many other cities have ongoing programs with youth, schools, etc. and I am going to utilize
this information as a part in the influence for my action plan.
BENEFITS
RIDERS: Positive youth ridership experience which may lead to developing a “lifer”
RTD: A mindset of fiscal and community responsibility with a focus on cultivating future
revenues through youth ridership programs
DENVER: Awareness of Destination Spots, promotion for the city and businesses
NOTE: Please save the file with your first and last name followed by 2013‐01.
Example: KathleenOsher2013‐01.doc
Denver Public Schools In the process of finding out who is the
correct contact to approach at the school
district. It may be best to approach
toward the end of the school year as
they are starting planning for the next
year.

4. Individual Action Plan - Amidon
Overall Goal
GOAL
My overall goal is to assist RTD with developing lifelong transit system riders.
Learning to rely on public transit to get around at an early age sets the stage for continued
lifelong use. My aim is to get kids familiar with using public transportation to connect with
their community.
♦♦ Educate young riders on how to use public transportation within the City and County of
Denver and the connections to the greater metropolitan area.
♦♦ Fixed-route bus system
♦♦ Light Rail System
♦♦ Circulator Bus
CULTURE
EXPERIENCE
INGENUITY
CONVENIENCE
CREATIVITY
FLEXIBILITY

5. Individual Action Plan - Amidon
PROGRAM STRATEGY
“Easy Rider” Program
♦♦ Present transit for what it is, a way to easily get around the city from Point A
to Point B. It is just part of the day out to the museum, park, etc, Transit is an
easy an convenient way to move, not the destination. Education on how to
use is just part of the day to the museum, zoo, Capitol Building, etc. The aim
is to illustrate the ease of transit – the simplicity public transit provides you in
getting to where you are going.
Urban Race Scavenger Hunt
♦♦ Participatory involvement in a scavenger hunt to places of interest where
teams use public transit to solve clues leading them to their next destination.
Teams compete for prizes. Registration similar to an Urban Race where all
participants receive a day transit pass, a t-shirt, etc.
Denver’s New City
The association between driving a car and being independent is fairly common. However, youth in their teens are heavily dependent on public
transport in cities with established mass transit systems. It is often their only way to reach school, working places, sports facilities and other loca-
tions. Transit provides youth that freedom to get to where the fun exists.
Want to go to the new skate park? There’s a bus stop across the street. Want to spend the day watching the Colorado Rockies? A kid could get
most anywhere in the area in an hour by bus, light rail, or shuttle.

6. Individual Action Plan - Amidon
Tactics
SET INITIAL RTD MEETING
♦♦ Present to RTD & Work with RTD
♦♦ Station & Place of Interest List
♦♦ Strategic Partnerships
♦♦ Strategic Sponsorships
STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS
♦♦ Partnerships:
♦♦ Denver County Public Schools: Partner with local school districts and supporting organizations to utilize transit to reach significant
cultural and historical destinations
♦♦ Community Organizations (Transit & Youth): Possibly establish partnerships allowing Discounted fare cost refund for school
activities (i.e. Field Trips). Partner opportunities through youth transit associations, grants, etc.
♦♦ Sponsorships:
♦♦ Local, Regional, and National Businesses: Sponsor and/or participate in events, field trips, etc.

7. Individual Action Plan - Amidon
Program Components
PRESENT TO RTD
♦♦ Proactive “How To Use Transit” Educational Program For Teachers & Schools:
♦♦ Educational modules (available on-line) which would possible include:
♦♦ Safety
♦♦ How to Ride
♦♦ Paying a Fare
♦♦ Navigating the urban landscape
♦♦ Code of Conduct
♦♦ Station & Place of Interest List
♦♦ Field Trip Incentive
♦♦ Strategic Sponsorships
PRESENT TO DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
♦♦ Utilize transit to reach significant cultural and historical destinations
♦♦ Facilitate RTD and DPS meeting

8. Individual Action Plan - Amidon
TIMELINE
CULTURE
EXPERIENCE
INGENUITY
CONVENIENCE
CREATIVITY
FLEXIBILITY
PROCESS
Market Evaluation
Initial Meeting (RTD)
Dialogue & Partnerships
Engagement
DECISON
The timeline illustrates how I aim to obtain tangible results. Given the scope of the project, the project’s
timing is based on a 12-24 month period to allow for my plan to organically take on a life of its own.
Decision Execution
Strategic Planning

9. Individual Action Plan - Amidon
WHY PUBLIC TRANSIT?
BENEFITS
♦♦ RIDERS: Positive youth ridership experience
which may lead to developing a “lifer”
♦♦ RTD: a mindset of fiscal and community
responsibility with a focus on the future
♦♦ DENVER: Awareness of Destination Spots,
promotion for the city and businesses