Effort would raise money through ads on busses, bus stops in
county
After fruitless attempts to hire a firm to coordinate
advertising on County Express buses and bus stop shelter, the Local
Transportation Authority last week authorized in-house approval of
advertising contracts.
Effort would raise money through ads on busses, bus stops in county
After fruitless attempts to hire a firm to coordinate advertising on County Express buses and bus stop shelter, the Local Transportation Authority last week authorized in-house approval of advertising contracts.
The original plan was to have a private advertising firm coordinate the program to raise money – up to $18,200 annually if all spaces sold out – for operations, capital and planning projects. Two requests for proposals for advertising sales services were released, but no responses were received.
In September and October 2010, two San Benito County Rideshare Program ads were designed and displayed at the bus stop outside of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital on Sunset Drive as demonstration project.
One of the ads “melted due to extreme heat” in October, according to a staff report, but the other remained intact. The local printer who produced the ad is working with staff to have a different material supporting the ads during the hot summer months.
The recent action allows the executive director of the Council of Governments – or a designated representative – to sign contracts under $10,000 between the agency to ensure proper scheduling of advertisements and payments for them. It was previously announced that staff would not actively make calls to potential advertising clients, but would promote the program.
Another advertising demonstration project is planned for February.
Approved advertising rates range from $325 for a four-week run, with a 15 percent discount for nonprofit or government agencies. Monthly rates decrease for longer commitments, such as $295 monthly for a 26-week commitment and $275 per month for a yearly deal.
There is also a $50 mounting cost with each contract.
