Research Triangle Park, N. C. - The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) has won Marketing and Communications awards from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The Ad Wheel Awards for Marketing and Communications excellence were presented in early October at the APTA Annual Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"TTA's recognition is unprecedented, said TTA General Manager John Claflin. "It's gratifying to have been honored with four First Place Awards and from those awards, we were selected for three APTA Grand Awards by national marketing professionals. More than 750 entries were judged and I'm proud of our staffers and their creativity that made our awards happen." TTA won for its 2002 Holiday Food Drive, a radio ad with "romance," a direct-mail campaign that encouraged drivers to stop stressing out and the agency's internal employee communications publication.

The Holiday Food Drive was held in December 2002, as TTA joined forces with Capital Area Transit (CAT) and the Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA). Each of the transit systems allowed riders to take a free bus trip on any of the systems and where their services interface in exchange for non-perishable food donations. Not even an ice storm that left more than one-million homes and businesses without power could stop riders, TTA employees and businesses from a three-day campaign that collected 2000 meals in the Triangle.

TTA put steamy romance novels and riding public transportation together for its "Romance on the Bus" radio ad. The ad, which ran on Triangle radio stations used an attention getting concept to highlight the time that riders have to read and relax while on public transportation. This was part of a three ad campaign run from Fall 2002 through Summer 2003.

TTA also told drivers to stop stressing and start taking transit. The red stop signs in the direct mailer encouraged potential riders to relax and ride the bus. "Free ride coupons that were provided in the ad were used for 16,745 trips during the three-month promotion, John Tallmadge, TTA's Director of Commuter Resources, said. "TTA is always looking for creative ways to emphasize the benefits that public transportation brings to our riders and to the communities in the region." At the end of the promotion, "almost 39% of passengers surveyed told us the ads had influenced them to ride TTA for the first time, or more than before."

TTA's internal employee publication "The Authority" was cited by the judges for its content and design. "The Authority" is published monthly and highlights current and future TTA programs, employee news and TTA's community involvement.

TTA is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit services to North Carolina's greater Triangle Region and outlying counties. In addition to its regional bus services, commuter resources and participation in GoTriangle.org, TTA plans to implement a 35-mile rail transit system with 16 stations connecting Durham, RTP, Cary and Raleigh, with shuttles linking RDU International Airport and RTP. The rail transit system is expected to be operational in late 2007 or early 2008. For more information, visit www.rideTTA.org or call (919)549-9999.