A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Transit Authority to develop and implement a giveaway promotional campaign as an incentive to increase bus ridership.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has the stated goal of increasing ridership at a rate of 100,000 additional passengers in each of the next five years; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council approved a supplement for MTA for fiscal year 2007 in the amount $17,829,100, which is an increase of 105% over the fiscal year 2002 supplement for MTA, in addition to millions of dollars in capital contributions to upgrade the bus fleet; and

WHEREAS, businesses often provide promotional sweepstakes and raffles to increase their customer base with the hope that the additional business generated will far exceed the cost of the item or items given away; and

WHEREAS, entering all bus riders into a sweepstakes or other contest to win an item of value, such as a television, would likely be an incentive to persons that do not ordinarily ride the bus to try public transportation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Transit Authority to Metropolitan Transit Authority to develop and implement a giveaway promotional campaign as an incentive to increase bus ridership.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Paul Ballard, the CEO of the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Transit Authority is further requested to respond to the Council as to the feasibility of and/or action taken in compliance with the request stated in Section 1 hereof not later than sixty (60) days after the adoption of this Resolution.

Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye Wallace