Advocacy
How to Advocate for Public and Community Transportation in New Hampshire
STAY INFORMED—Join COAST's mailing list, connect with us on social media, and stay up-to-date on transit issues being covered by the media.
SPEAK UP—Attend transportation-related meetings being held by your Regional Planning Commission, Regional Coordination Council, or other organizations, voice personal perspective, and offer input anytime there is an opportunity.
CONTACT YOUR GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES—Write, call or speak directly with your local (selectboard members or councilors), state (legislators, senator, executive councilor, and/or governor), federal (congressional rep and senator) elected officials about how public and community transportation positively impact you, your business, your colleagues/friends/family or could impact you if not available in your community.
PARTICIPATE—Contribute to studies being conducted locally, regionally, or statewide related to transportation needs for older adults and individuals living with disabilities.
MAKE CONNECTIONS—Think about how you can connect key people, nonprofits, and businesses in your community in order to foster partnerships and investment.
TESTIFY—Provide legislative testimony when opportunities arise. Help to shape how our state supports and funds public transportation
Speaking Up for Our Customers & Services
As an Association actively promoting awareness and support of public and community transportation, we also regularly advocate on legislation pertaining to our ability to provide our services for our customers.
Federal Efforts
- We support the Volunteer Driver Coalition and the Volunteer Driver Tax Appreciation Act (S. 3020 – H.R. 3032)
- We support the passage of full annual appropriations for FTA programs as authorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
State Efforts
- We are advocating for increased investment in public transit operations as part of the State of New Hampshire's SFY2026-2027 Budget.
- NH Public Transportation Coalition advocacy flyer
- House Finance Division II Testimony
- Op-ed: Public Transit Investment in New Hampshire (paywall workaround)
- We support the Statewide Needs Assessment of public and community transportation.
- We support the 10-Year NHDOT Transportation Plan(HB2024) and the funding included within the Plan for public and community transportation
- Testimony submitted to the NH House Public Works and Highways Committee
- Testimony submitted to the NH Senate Transportation Committee