Social Media and Transit
February 16, 2010
In the February issue of MassTransit Magazine Denis and Mark Eirikis discuss the use of Social Media by transit systems. The Rapid's use of Social Media was highlighted along with other larger systems such as BART (San Francisco), OCTA (Orange C
In the February issue of MassTransit Magazine Denis and Mark Eirikis discuss the use of Social Media by transit systems. The Rapid's use of Social Media was highlighted along with other larger systems such as BART (San Francisco), OCTA (Orange County/Los Angeles), and Houston Metro.
"In just the past few years, platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and blogging have rapidly become some of the most powerful and effective tools a transit agency can use to engage their current and potential ridership as well as other important stakeholders. In what started as a trickle, now more than 50 transit agencies in the United States have some form of social media presence. Large transit agencies such TriMet, DART and BART, as well as many smaller agencies, have leveraged social media in a way that projects a more friendly and personal face for transit to the public.
"Jennifer Kalczuk, External Relations manager of The Rapid (Transit Authority for Grand Rapids Metro) says, âThe Rapid has been using social media for almost a year (started in January 09) as another means to communicate with our customers and the broader community. Currently we use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. We see these media as having different applications and different capabilities than our Web site. The Web site is built for information or specific functions, such as finding a route schedule or purchasing tickets. Social media is created for interaction. This helps to build trust, open up dialog and increase transparency. Weâve created a number of how-to videos that are posted to our YouTube channel, like advice for the first-time rider and how to use the bike racks and fareboxes. The Rapid is in the middle of creating a 20-year transit master plan and using social media has allowed us to reach and engage new audiences in the process.â
Read more on Friending Transit
"In just the past few years, platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and blogging have rapidly become some of the most powerful and effective tools a transit agency can use to engage their current and potential ridership as well as other important stakeholders. In what started as a trickle, now more than 50 transit agencies in the United States have some form of social media presence. Large transit agencies such TriMet, DART and BART, as well as many smaller agencies, have leveraged social media in a way that projects a more friendly and personal face for transit to the public.
"Jennifer Kalczuk, External Relations manager of The Rapid (Transit Authority for Grand Rapids Metro) says, âThe Rapid has been using social media for almost a year (started in January 09) as another means to communicate with our customers and the broader community. Currently we use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. We see these media as having different applications and different capabilities than our Web site. The Web site is built for information or specific functions, such as finding a route schedule or purchasing tickets. Social media is created for interaction. This helps to build trust, open up dialog and increase transparency. Weâve created a number of how-to videos that are posted to our YouTube channel, like advice for the first-time rider and how to use the bike racks and fareboxes. The Rapid is in the middle of creating a 20-year transit master plan and using social media has allowed us to reach and engage new audiences in the process.â
Read more on Friending Transit
