RTA partners with US Census to host special event

For Immediate Release

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jessica Olson (937) 425-8352, Communications Manager

Beginning Wednesday, August 26, The Greater Dayton RTA and US Census’ Rapid Response Team will partner to host a special event at the Wright Stop Plaza to assist riders in completing the 2020 Census survey. The event will occur every Wednesday until September 30, which is the final day the survey will be available.

As a thank you for completing the survey at the event, the RTA will provide at no charge, a day pass to participants. The Rapid Response Team will be available to assist riders in filling out the census every Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The 2020 Census is vital to the support of public institution services, including public schools and local transit systems. Completion of the survey provides an accurate count of the city‘s population to help secure federal funding for local programs.

This year, RTA promoted the Census by creating a 2020 Census bus. The bus provided Wi-Fi access so riders could fill out the survey from their smartphones. This is the first year the survey was available online.

Nikol Miller, RTA’s Community Relations Manager, thought of the idea for creating this specialty bus and collaborated with RTA’s graphics team to create its design. Miller serves as chair for the Dayton-Montgomery Complete Count Committee (CCC) for the Miami Valley Regional Planning Committee (MVRPC). The purpose of the CCC is to increase awareness and motivate residents to participate in the Census by bringing a trusted voice to the process.

“We are very excited to partner with the US Census’ Rapid Response Team for this occasion. RTA is dedicated to providing quality service for our riders in the Dayton area. By completing the survey, we are afforded the resources to sustain the services that our customers rely on every day,” Miller said.

For more information about the 2020 Census, please visit www.2020census.gov