Riverside Transit Agency Annual Report

Target Audience: Target Audience - Members of RTA's Board of Directors - Local, regional, state and national lawmakers - Various chambers of commerce - Institutes of higher learning, including area colleges and universities - Libraries served by our transit system - Media outlets, including the Press-Enterprise and Los Angeles Times - Other Southern California transit agencies

Strategy Objective:Part of the challenge of creating such a comprehensive document was to make it reader-friendly. That meant keeping the text brief and easy to understand, including compelling photographs of all types of customers --- senior citizens, students and veterans --- and utilizing vivid colors and velvet paper to enhance the report's aesthetic element. Before work began on the report, we developed an idea of utilizing eye-catching yellows and swaths of blue colors throughout the document, resulting in a professional and visually appealing product. We also organized a major photo shoot to include new images of our vehicle fleet, employees and our loyal customers. We wanted the report to be focused, organized and reflect our core values of safety, customer service, image and efficiency

Situation Challenge: Hundreds of people are getting an intimate look at RTA's latest accomplishments, its newest services and positive financial standings thanks to the Agency's Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Report, which published in December 2017. More than 500 copies of the report were printed and distributed to city officials, regional and state lawmakers, chambers of commerce, schools, members of congress, libraries, media outlets, other Southern California and national transit agencies. The report's main objective was to provide an easy-to-read, comprehensive and entertaining document that highlighted successes, popular programs and statistical information related to RTA. We wanted the report's contents to reflect our core values of safety, customer service, image and efficiency.

Results Impact: Because image is one of our core values, RTA is focuses on delivering a product that is not only informative but also spotlights our accomplishments and strengthens our image in the community. The ultimate success of the annual report usually comes from members of the governing board, who see the final product before anyone else. In this case, members applauded the report for its professionalism, appearance and positive tone. We also received positive feedback from city and school officials, representatives from other transit agencies, members of the media, and community leaders. The feedback indicated that the annual report was getting positive attention, boosting our company image and promoting our successes to a spectrum of individuals and businesses.

Why Submit: The annual report served an important role in RTA's communications efforts and informs individuals who might not otherwise know about the Agency's progress over the year. Showcasing our many successes provides us with credibility as a public agency and keeps us visible to funding agencies and lawmakers who provide financial support for our operating and capital needs. With unique style, the annual report successfully created a professional, accurate and informative report, and informed our riders, members of the public and stake-holder about RTA's accomplishments. The report also successfully reflected the Agency's four core values: safety, customer service, image and efficiency. This report was received with a great deal of positivity by Board members and members of the community.