Peter Schorsch
In the ever-growing conversation about infrastructure, mobility, and quality of life, one message is rolling across Florida loud and clear: public transit matters.
In January, the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA) launched a bold new initiative to remind Floridians that buses, trains, and paratransit services are not just vehicles; they are lifelines.
Dubbed “Transit Connects Florida,” the statewide campaign is as expansive as the systems it aims to promote. With over 40 member agencies spanning everything from urban rail systems to rural bus routes, FPTA’s reach is vast. Now, with a fresh digital tool and an ambitious media blitz, they aim to make public transportation personal.
“Transit connects people to so many things that are important in their lives,” said Karen Deigl, FPTA Chair and president/CEO of Senior Resource Association in Vero Beach. “Family, fun, health, commerce, and adventure — that’s what’s on the other side of the ride.”
The campaign, spearheaded by Central Florida-based marketing agency Global-5, is rooted in a clear message: connection. Floridians already make connections by taking nearly 160 million passenger transit trips every year and covering almost 850 million passenger miles.
Now, the goal is to multiply them.
A digital doorway to transit
At the center of the campaign is the sleek new website, TransitConnectsFlorida.com, which aims to be a one-stop shop for Floridians wondering how to get from Point A to Point Better. With just a county name, users can access contact info for their local transit system, whether it is buses in Tampa, trains in Broward, or paratransit services in Tallahassee.
It is designed to be simple and intuitive and, like transit itself, built around the idea that everyone should have a ride.
Moving the message
To bring that message to the masses, FPTA is going full throttle with a multimedia ad campaign targeting all markets throughout Florida. Billboards, streaming audio, radio spots, and social media ads spotlight real-world destinations where transit makes a difference: the job interview, the doctor’s appointment, the beach, or even Grandma’s house.
The hope? That Floridians will start to see public transportation not just as an option, but as their option.
“Transit is good for Florida,” Deigl emphasized. “It increases mobility for residents and visitors, and it creates a five-to-one economic return for our communities.”
That kind of ROI is impressive and essential, especially as state and local leaders weigh long-term investments in sustainability, equity, and smart growth.
A long-term ride
While the ad campaign is expected to run through Florida’s 2025 Legislative Session, the tools it introduces are built to last. The website will remain a permanent part of Florida’s transit landscape, helping residents across the Sunshine State explore their mobility options for years to come.
The campaign lands at a crucial time for lawmakers, advocates, and everyday commuters. As more cities wrestle with congestion, weather challenges, and the needs of aging populations, transit is poised to play a starring role.
If FPTA has anything to say about it, that role starts with a simple idea: connection.
So, next time you hear the familiar whoosh of doors opening or see the blink of an approaching bus, remember: the ride is not just about where you are going. It is about what — and who — you will connect with along the way.
