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After reviewing applications from more than 60 transit agencies, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently selected four to participate in a pilot program aimed at increasing ridership.

Washington’s Whatcom Transportation Authority, and North Carolina’s Triangle, Greater Cleveland Regional and Sacramento Regional transit authorities will promote public transportation through FTA’s Marketing Demonstration Program, which will target commuters who might consider using public transit.

The agencies will identify a neighborhood currently served by public transportation and contact residents in writing to determine their interest in learning more about travel options. Interested residents then will be contacted by phone to determine if they need more information about transit, bicycling or walking. Agencies will continue to occasionally contact residents and encourage them to try different transportation modes.

FTA’s program is modeled after an International Public Transportation Association project in Europe and marketing programs in Australia, which significantly increase ridership, according to a prepared statement.