Class 1 – Citrus Connection
Target Audience: General public (non-bus riders)
Project Cost: $1,500
Description: A rear panel was posted on four buses in the fleet depicting children smiling. The purpose was to draw attention to the buses and get viewers to smile. To quantify the effectiveness of this vinyl ad, the picture was shared with approximately 70 non-bus riders and received a very positive reaction. A quick survey was also done at the bus terminal among about 45 riders on two different days and they all expressed a positive reaction and support for the environmental message.

Class 2 – Miami-Dade Transit  *Best of the Best*
Target Audience: Metrorail and express bus riders and potential riders
Project Cost: $6,160
Description: In November 2009, Miami-Dade Transit launched a pilot program that offered free Wi-Fi connectivity on six Metrotrail train cars and five buses on two different express bus routes. Each of the six trains and five buses received “Wi-Fi” branding for easy identification by passengers. The branding consisted of the words “Wi Fi” in large white letters against a blue blackdrop with concentric orange waves representing wireless connectivity. The words “Free wireless connectivity on board” appear at the bottom. An average of 632 passengers took advantage of Wi-Fi connectivity during the 6 months of the pilot program, with more than 100,000 user accesses. Over 60 percent of more than 350 respondents to a online survey said they would take transit more often if Wi-Fi connectivity were available across the system. Based on feedback, Wi-Fi is being expanded to the rest of the Metrorail fleet and additional express bus routes. Implementation is projected to be completed in March 2011.

The Wi-Fi pilot program and accompanying promotional campaign serve as an example to other transit systems of the popularity of offering Wi-Fi on transit as a way to encourage greater ridership by meeting the needs of an increasingly tech-savvy and “connected” public.