Title
Regional Transit System Report on Bus Advertising and Bus Shelter/Bench Advertising (B)
This item is in response to a request from the City Commission for the Regional Transit System (RTS) to provide information on Bus Advertising and Bus Shelter/Bench Advertising.
Explanation
RTS has explored expanding its existing bus advertising program to generate additional revenue. It has also explored incorporating bus shelter/bench advertising into the program. RTS staff has surveyed thirteen Florida transit agencies and also met with two companies who specialize in outdoor advertising. Some of the transit agencies reported costs, revenue and challenges with their programs.
Transit agencies have created in-house and contracted advertising programs. Most programs include some combination of advertising on 1) the exterior of buses 2) the interior of buses, 3) bus shelters, 4) and bus benches. Many agencies created their programs in the hope of raising new revenue and creating cost savings. Cost savings can be created when contractors assume responsibility for bus shelter/bench maintenance and in some jurisdictions the capital costs of installing new shelters. There is the potential to raise additional revenue and create cost savings if RTS were to establish a bus shelter/bench advertising program but not without challenges and trade-offs.
The most significant challenge involves current restrictions in City code that prohibit bus shelter/bench advertising. Planning staff has advised and the City Attorney concurs that the Land Development Code prohibits all off-premise street graphics or signs and the general code of ordinances prohibits commercial signage in the right-of-way. The placement of advertising on bus stop shelters/benches would constitute off-premise street graphics or signs and would therefore be prohibited. To permit advertising on bus shelters would invalidate the city's prohibition against other types of off-premise street graphics incl...
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