As individuals living in the twenty-first century, our societal environment could be described in several ways: fast-paced, diverse, and often chaotic. In this consumer-driven landscape, we all choose strategic and varied ways of existing and thriving—tailoring our lifestyles to our individual needs and preferences. However, there is a common thread within this panoply of diversity—transportation. Transportation is an integral component to how we live, but also an essential driving force behind societal and future change.
To show us how easy and fun going car-free for a day can be, Reconnect Rochester has created Roc Transit Day and is challenging YOU to go car-free on Thursday, June 18th in support of a healthier and happier community! To make it easy, they're giving away FREE all-day fare cards through local Rochester employers and community organizations that will be redeemable for free trips on RTS buses. As a bonus, they'll be giving away prizes at random to those who ride the bus and local businesses are even offering in-store discounts just for showing them your fare card! They've also packed the day with a variety of fun-filled events including a flash mob at the downtown transit center, a street dance competition, a pop-up park and more at the Rundel Library!
How we factor in…
This would be a good time to mention that if you stop into Rochester Brainery between 10am-3pm on June 18th with your fare card you'll get $5 off any class! One extra bonus is that even with the discount, the class you register for will still count towards our “Become A Brainery Genius” summer challenge!
We’re also teaming up with our friends at Writers & Books to bring you transit-themed literary goodness throughout the day:
First: Between 10am-5pm we'll be posting blogs written by guest bloggers! They'll be providing in-depth coverage and reflections of their transit day experiences both on and off the bus. We’ll be sharing the guests posts on our blog and Writers & Books blog on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #BrainsandBooks and #ROCTransitDay so it's easy follow along on social media.
We're lucky to have Aprille Byam aka Storychic (p.s. have you seen her TEDxRochester talk?) and Explore Rochester, the Instagram account taking Rochester by storm, guest blogging for us. Blogging for Writers & Books will be Christine Green, published writer and host of "Words on the Verge" in Brockport, NY, Joe Orman, a NY native studying anthropology at the University of Rochester, and Kelly Myers, a a busy stay-at-home mom, lifelong volunteer, and fan of technology.
Then: The day will culminate with the chance for YOU to share your transportation stories with us at our transportation-themed story slam from 7-8pm at the Rundel Library. Come read a story or poem you wrote on or off the bus, or share a story off the top of your head! Anything goes as long as the theme is transportation. Incentive: The best story at the slam will win a $25 Rochester Brainery gift card, a Brainery tee and a membership to Writers & Books!
Have we convinced you yet? Sign-up today and plan to take the challenge, or choose an event to attend, and together we can foster a sustainable community one bus ride at a time.