2016 NEBRASKA PUBLIC TRANSIT WEEK EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Open Houses: Hosting open houses throughout the week at our transit offices listed below. Open houses will include light refreshments and a contest to guess how many miles the bus travels throughout Nebraska Public Transit Week. The winner will receive a gift certificate to the local grocery store, while seven runners-up will win a travel mug. All week new riders will receive a free ride ticket, and returning riders will receive half-price ride tickets.

• Monday – Nebraska City and Fairbury
• Tuesday – Auburn and Beatrice
• Wednesday – Wymore and Syracuse
• Thursday – Hebron

• Tuesday – Advertising: Take a picture for the local paper and advertise through the City of Alliance on Facebook.
• Thursday – Luncheon for drivers.
• Friday – Advertising: City of Alliance Activity Report for the week.

All Week

• Stuff the Bus for Aidan's Animals: Taking donations of stuffed animals for Aidan's Animals. (They provide comfort and hope to children facing tragedy by giving stuffed animals to children through hospitals and EMS.) A pass for a free ride will be given to all that donate.
• Great Handibus Ticket Search: Look for free ride tickets at different locations around town: banks, beauty salons, doctor offices, etc. Good for one round trip ticket in city limits.

Monday

• Buy One, Get One Free: Bring a friend with you on your trip to Nebraska City. Your friend rides free.

Wednesday

• $1 Round Trip Within City Limits: Everyone gets a round trip ride for $1.

Thursday

• First Responders/Veterans Appreciation Day: First responders/veterans can join us for free pie and coffee at Ramsey Family Fountain in downtown Tecumseh from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Open for all first responders/veterans. Does not have to be a resident of Johnson county.

Friday

• Passenger Appreciation Day: We will be handing out cookies to our passengers.

• Monday – Spin the Wheel: Using a spinner wheel with the number 1-6 on it, riders spin when they board and receive that many free rides for the week.
• Tuesday – Put The Fire Out: Cost of each boarding is a bottle of water, donated to the Crawford Fire Department.
• Wednesday – Spot the Balloon: We're hanging balloons in businesses around town. If they spot one while riding they get a prize.
• Thursday – Staff Appreciation Day: Presenting staff with T-shirts and flowers.
• Friday – Customer Appreciation Day: Serving cookies and coffee at the work place. Doing a poster for everyone to sign.
• Monday-Friday – Drawing: Put your name in for a $10 ticket. Winner will be drawn at the end of the week.

• Monday – Staff Appreciation Day: We will thank the drivers publicly. They will each receive an embroidered polo shirt and be treated to lunch. Media sources will help spotlight our appreciated drivers.
• Tuesday – Trivia Tuesday: Passengers will test their public transportation trivia and win coupons for free rides. One rider will win a T-shirt.
• Wednesday – Passenger Appreciation Day: We will thank our passengers and several businesses for their patronage. Everyone will receive bags of popcorn with a thank you note and other goodies including pens, sticky notes, stress balls, magnets, highlighters, and a candy treat.
• Thursday – Buddy Day: It's two-for-one rides today. Bring a friend and share the cost of a ride.
• Friday – Where’s the Bus?: Public members are invited to snap a photo of the bus or van in action and share it with us for a chance in a drawing for Chamber Bucks. Three winners will be selected for $10 in Chamber Bucks, which works like cash at participating Chamber of Commerce businesses.
• Art Tab with Neligh-Oakdale School Art Class: During the month of March, students in art classes were invited to create an ad for local businesses. Dial-A-Ride Public Transit participated and an art student drew an ad for Public Transit Week which was featured in the local newspaper on March 30 to announce the upcoming Public Transit Week promotion.

• Stuff the Bus: Donate any toy to the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Grandparent Resource Center during the week of April 6-10 and receive one free round trip ride.
• Veteran Recognition: Veterans receive two free round trip rides.
• Buddy Rides: Current passengers are invited to bring along a new passenger "buddy" with them for a free round trip ride.

Monday-Friday

• Ice Cream Truck: We will drive around town with the music of an ice cream truck and hand out ice cream! If you hear the music, come and join us.
• Free Water: We will be offering free bottles of water to our clients that utilize the transit service.

Tuesday

• Staff Appreciation Meal and Entertainment: From 5-6:30 p.m. we will be hosting a free oven fried chicken dinner, open to the public to introduce and thank our drivers for all they do during the year. We have entertainment that will be playing during this time. Cake and ice cream for dessert.

Thursday

• Stuff the Bus: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. we will be "stuffing the bus" for the local food pantry in Fullerton. From 3-6 p.m. we will be "stuffing the bus" for the food pantry in Genoa.

• Tuesday – Veterans Appreciation Day: Free in-county rides to any veteran. Encouraged to come into the Veteran's Office to see what services are offered.
• Wednesday – Services Awareness Day: Event held at the nursing home for people in need to come in and learn what services are offered to them. This includes seniors, low income families, single parents, and disabled individuals. Services present are DHHS, Office of Aging, Garden County Transportation, Oshkosh Housing Authority, VOA and VOA Closet, Experience Works, Superette, Campbell Drug, two senior centers, two churches, Regional West Clinic and Nursing Home.
• Friday – Stuff the Bus: We will drive the bus around to all three cities in our county to pick up donation items (food, clothing, household goods, small furniture, etc.). We will then deliver the items to the VOA, VOA Closet, and churches in need.

• April 6 – Newspaper Advertisement: Display ad with service hours and promotion for Public Transit Week activities.
• April 6 – News release: Newspaper article regarding proclamation of Public Transit Week.
• April 12 – Free Rides: Free rides in the city limits of Albion from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• April 13 – Gifts for Riders: Pens and note pads for all riders.

• April 6-15 – Advertising: Newspaper ads in two local papers, invitations have been sent to regular van and meal delivery clients and service vendors, posters hung in all businesses in town. Putting out yard signs the Friday before Public Transit Week.
• Wednesday – Open House: Meet the staff, check out the vans, refreshments offered, giveaways, and door prizes.

Monday-Friday

• Veterans Appreciation: Free rides for veterans, spouses, and widows all week.
• Find the Stickers: Only for kids that ride the bus. Whoever finds the most stickers wins a prize. First and second place prizes.

• Monday-Friday – Swag Bag: We have put together bags with various items for our current riders and new riders. Items in the bags are coupons for free round trip rides current riders can pass out to new riders. Once those are turned in by the new riders the current riders will get a coupon for a free round trip ride. All coupons turned in go into a drawing for 10 free rides.

• Monday-Friday – Promo Items: We will be distributing Public Transit Week promotional items to passengers.
• Wednesday – Discounted Rides: We will provide rides for $2 (a $0.50 discount).
• Saturday – Discounted Rides: We will provide rides for $2 (a $0.50 discount).

• Monday-Saturday – Stuff the Bus: We have posted flyers around town asking people to donate pet supplies for the local city animal shelter.
• Monday – VIP Buttons: We have been taking pictures of our passengers and they will get a button delivered to them this weekend. If they wear their button next week they will get a free ride coupon.
• Monday-Saturday – Facebook Giveaways: We will be randmonly drawing names of our Facebook followers and winners will receive a free mug.
• Wednesday – Driver Appreciation Day: Employees only. Lunch and dinner for the drivers.

• We will be offering riders surprise free-fare promotions throughout the week. Customers will be given the opportunity to write a thank you card to a driver.
• Saturday – “Stuff the Bus to End Hunger”: From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bakers on 120th and Center, with all proceeds going to the Food Bank for the Heartland. Donors will receive a free bus ticket.

• Wednesday-Friday – Nebraska Panhandle Meet and Greet Tour of Nebraska Panhandle Communities: A tour of Nebraska Panhandle communities we frequently travel to. We will be conducting photo opportunities, public education and outreach, promoting statewide public transportation efforts throughout the region, and giving away lots of goodies.
• April 13-30 – Trailblazer Photo Contest on Facebook: A “Have You Seen It?” photo contest, in which Panhandle Trails will encourage participants to look for and post photos of the new bus on the Panhandle Trails Facebook page. Facebook participants will be able to vote and prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place. The winners will be announced in May.
• April 18 – Panhandle Trails Opens for Business: Panhandle Trails Intercity Public Transit begins operations in the Nebraska Panhandle.

• Monday-Friday – Stuff the Bus: Throughout the week there will be boxes on the bus to collect non-perishable food items for the food pantry. Individuals donating receive a free ride coupon for use at a later date.
• Monday – Open House: Join us for refreshments and door prizes at the Perkins County Senior Center, 420 Central Avenue, Grant, NE.
• Tuesday – Passenger Appreciation Day: All passengers will receive a special "thank you" gift when they ride with Perkins County Public Transit.
• Wednesday – Free Ride Day: All passengers will ride free on the Perkins County Public Transit bus.
• Thursday – Driver Appreciation Day: Don't forget to thank your driver today.
• Friday – Veteran Appreciation Day: All veterans will ride free and receive a special gift.

• Monday-Friday – Customer Appreciation: Each day of the week we will draw one name for a free round trip ticket. All daily winners will be put in for a second drawing for a $20 ride ticket. Top five riders for the week will receive a carnation and our top first quarter rider will be awarded six carnations.

Monday-Friday

• Free Ride Week: We will be giving free ride tickets to any rider who schedules a trip during Public Transit Week.
• Token of Appreciation: All clients who ride during the week of Public Transit Week will receive a small gift of appreciation (ex. coffee mug, magnet, candy, etc.).

• Monday-Friday – Daily drawings and giveaways: During the week we will be giving small gifts out to anyone that rides our system. Monday: Travel Mugs. Tuesday: Pens and Note Pads. Wednesday: Candy Kisses and Chapstick. Thursday: Keychains. Friday: Tape Measure with Light. In addition every rider can sign up for drawings that we will have daily. The prizes are donated by local businesses.
• Tuesday – Free Ride Day: Anyone that rides on our system will ride free.
• Wednesday – Passenger Appreciation Day: Everyone that rides our system will receive a small gift bag with four candy kisses and a tag that says "You Are Appreciated" and a tube of chapstick that has "Scotts Bluff County Public Transit" and our phone number on it.
• Thursday – Reduced Fares Day: We will be handing our "Free Ride Tickets" to every fourth passenger to use by the end of April.
• Friday – Driver's Appreciation Day: We will meet the drivers at the bus barn before they start driving and give them donuts and coffee or juice along with a note of appreciation.

• Monday-Friday – Stuff the Bus: Collecting food for the local food pantry.
• Wednesday – Dump the Pump: Passengers ride for free.

• April 5 – Public Transit Proclamation Signing: The Seward County Board of Commissioners signed a proclamation certifying April 10-16 as Public Transit Week in Seward county. Transit employees were all in attendance and updated the commissioners on the Seward County Public Transit program prior to the signing and picture.
• April 6 – Seward County Health Fair Kick Off Event: Seward County Public Transit used the Seward County Health Fair as the kickoff event to begin Public Transit Week. Attendees received free tickets for use during Public Transit Week along with informational brochures and “freebies” to encourage individuals to catch a ride with Seward County Public Transit.
• Monday-Tuesday – Rider Appreciation Day and Popcorn Distribution: Seward County Public Transit will hand out goody bags and informational brochures to riders throughout the day as a way to say thank you to our riders. On Tuesday, Seward County Public Transit will be distributing over 250 bags of popcorn with transit information and brochures to all the local housing units and independent/assisted living facilities in Seward county.
• Tuesday – Transit Week Burger Feed in Milford: Seward County Public Transit will be hosting a burger feed in cooperation with the Milford Senior Center during the noon meal. Seward County Public Transit will be providing the hamburgers for the event and will have an opportunity to provide the afternoon program and presentation.
• Thursday – Root Beer Floats and Seward Tour with Treats: Seward County Public Transit will be hosting a post meal root beer float social at the Seward Senior Center and will be presenting the afternoon program for the senior center. Seward County Public Transit will also be providing a tour of Seward and Seward county for individuals who are in the local nursing homes and providing special treats for the afternoon rides.
• Friday – Hamburger Feed and Stuff the Bus: Seward County Public Transit will be hosting a Stuff the Bus event at Pac-N-Save along with a burger feed during the noon hour. Individuals are encouraged to Stuff the Bus to benefit the local Community Action Food Pantry and electronic signs throughout town have advertisements for Public Transit Week and the Stuff the Bus event.
• April 16-17 – Library Week Celebration at the Seward Library and Sunday Ice Cream Social at the Utica Senior Center: Seward County Public Transit will be hosting a booth with face painting and balloons at the Seward Memorial Library during their Library Week festivities to be held on Saturday. Three Concordia students will be providing face painting during the event and treats and balloons will be handed out along with a summer rider brochure. On Sunday, Seward County Public Transit will be assisting with the Utica Senior Center's Sundaes on Sunday and will be providing the ice cream for the event. We will also be providing the program after the dinner and dessert.

• Monday – Buddy Day: Pay cash or use your pass – two ride for one fare (includes Handi-Van).
• Tuesday – Bike and bus for free.
• Wednesday – Seniors Ride Free (includes Handi-Van).
• Thursday – Patron Appreciation Day: Staff will hand out treats to patrons to show our appreciation for their patronage.
• Friday – Be a Car Free Person: Throw in the key and ride for free (regular routes only).
• Friday – Supermarket Sweep.
• Saturday – We will operate our Big Red Express for the UNL Red/White Spring Game from two lots – North Star High School and SouthPointe Pavilions, to and from the game.
• Saturday-Sunday – Stuff the Bus: We will be co-sponsoring with Digity Radio, Sam’s Club's and Walmart’s in Lincoln, our 17th Annual “Stuff the Bus” event. We want to stuff all the buses full of new items needed by Friendship Home, which provides 24-hour emergency shelter for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

• Monday-Friday – Drawing: All riders during the week will be entered into a drawing for five free rides. They will also receive a pen and note pad.

Monday-Friday

• Stuff the Bus: Collecting non-perishable food items for the Ord Food Pantry. Local riders can ride by giving one canned good for each destination the entire week.
• Spot the Bus: Asking the public to take a picture of our vans or bus out in public and post to the VCHS Facebook page and they will win a door prize.
• Promoting with candy, brochures, magnets etc.: Throughout the week the drivers will visit the local nursing homes, assisted living centers, coffee shops, housing units and drop off magnets, balloons, brochures, etc., promoting our transportation department and activities.

Monday

• Open House for Drivers: Serving cookies and punch for VCHS employees in honor and recognition of our public transit department

Friday

• Free Radio Promo: We did a radio promo on Party Line Part 2 with KNLV (local radio station) promoting Nebraska Public Transit Week and the activities that are happening.

Jackets for the Drivers

• We purchased nice jackets for the drivers that display our logo and their name. Will take a picture of the drivers in their jackets next to their vans and post on our Facebook page, in our employee newsletter, and local newspaper with article wrapping up the weeks activities.

• Monday-Friday – Free Van Ticket: For every ride you take throughout the week on the Wayne City Transit your name will be put in for a drawing at the end of the week for a 10-punch van ticket.
• Monday – Open House: Coffee and cookies at the senior center, open to the public.
• Tuesday – Pack the Van: Food/grocery donations will be gathered for the Wayne Food Pantry. Van will be at Quality Foods from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A representative of Wayne Senior Center will be at the grocery store to give out information/pamphlets.
• Wednesday – 1 pass/Free Ride Day: 1 free ride for city transit passengers.
• Thursday – Pack the Van: Food/grocery donations will be gathered for the Wayne Food Pantry. City van and a representative will be at the Pac-n-Save accepting donations. Information and pamphlets will be available.
• Thursday – Feature Story in the Paper: Wayne Herald featuring story and picture of Wayne city van drivers and the city van.
• Friday – Free ride to the senior center for dinner if you come to the center to join us for our noon meal. Also, food donations will be taken at the center for the Wayne Food Pantry. City van will be on display outside the building.