RTA rolls out special bus to promote 2020 Census

For Immediate Release

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jessica Olson (937) 425-8352, Communications Manager

(DAYTON, OHIO) … April 1 is Census Day, and the Greater Dayton RTA is celebrating by rolling out a census-themed bus April 1 through August 31 to increase questionnaire participation and promote census jobs.

Every 10 years, the U.S. conducts a census to determine the allocation of congressional seats as well as federal funding throughout the country. This federal funding helps shape vital programs and services offered in our community, including public transit. Participation in the census is required by law and can be completed over the phone, by mail, and—new this year—online. The easiest way for participants to complete the survey online is with their census ID, which can be found within the letter or questionnaire sent to their home by the Census Bureau. However, responses can still be submitted online if the census ID cannot be located.

“Census results play a critical role in how much federal funding our communities receive to support essential services, including public transit,” said Brandon Policicchio, Chief Customer and Business Development Officer for the RTA. “We want to do our part in encouraging everyone to complete their questionnaires.”

Through funding provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Dayton-Montgomery County Complete Count Committee, the RTA is launching a census-themed bus on April 1. The bus is decorated with census-related graphics and encourages riders to complete their questionnaire. It also refers those interested in a census job to call 1-855-JOB-2020.

The bus will rotate between routes daily to maximize exposure and give everyone a chance to ride. The daily schedule is located on the RTA’s website: iriderta.org/census2020.

For more information on the 2020 Census and to complete the questionnaire online, visit 2020census.gov. For more information on the RTA, click here.