Raising revenue for the light rail through advertising

Posted on 01. Apr, 2009 by Tony Arranaga in News

UPDATE: BLOG LISTS PROPOSED LIGHT RAIL ADVERTISING POLICY

A shortage in revenue is forcing the Valley’s transit board to look at advertising to make up some of the difference.

Mike Branom reports a system-wide policy adopted before light rail construction started would have to be changed.  The policy bans the use of ads on trains and platforms.

Here’s a portion from Branom’s story.

Under a proposal put forth by Metro staffers, ad space would be sold in the forms of wrapped trains and stations, floor decals and small televisions on trains and kiosks and posters at stations.

Transit agencies throughout the country sell ad space, and even new systems like the one in Las Vegas are taking advantage of the empty space on the sides of trains and buses. A company called More riders has a product with stop specific ads (audio or video) featuring nearby merchants.
There are also some controversial ads like the ones in Chicago, and recently an ad campaign in Canada, where God was the subject of debate.  The website Oddee has some of the more comedic images gracing transit.

Locally, The Light Rail Blog reports 10 METRO trains could be wrapped, but it’s not clear exactly how much could be generated because of the sharp decline in the economy.  You can read the proposed policy as reported by Scott Holstege here.

Tags: advertising