MVTA Transit Champion Program

• Engage with Riders – Champions interact with potential, new, and seasoned riders to:  

• • Answer questions about routes, schedules, and fares 
  • Help new riders learn how to use MVTA services 
  • Promote MVTA events 
  • Provide a welcoming presence at transit stations and community locations 
  • Generate and / or participate in social media content creation and other marketing assets to promote MVTA services as needed 

• Support MVTA Outreach – Champions play a key role during:  

• • Special events 
  • Community outreach initiatives 
  • Public education campaigns 

• Observe & Report Service Needs: As MVTA’s eyes and ears on the bus, champions:  

• • Report on customer feedback, safety concerns, or facility issues 
  • Communicate trends or recurring rider questions to MVTA staff 

• Strengthen the Rider-Agency Connection: Champions help build trust between MVTA and the community by:  

• • Representing the agency with professionalism and empathy 
  • Supporting a positive, safe, and accessible transit experience 
  • Helping riders feel heard and valued 

• Make an impact by helping people use transit with confidence and ease
• Support your community by improving mobility and accessibility
• Help shape transit service by sharing real rider feedback with MVTA
• Gain valuable experience by building connections with professionals throughout the south metro, expand on customer service, outreach, communication, and public engagement skills.

Eligibility: 6+ months of transit ridership, access to technology (ability to attend teams meetings and smart phone access, must be 18 years or older to participate.

We value linguistic diversity and encourage multilingual candidates to apply. 

Complete application form, which includes:  

• Contact information 
• Brief personal background 
• Languages spoken 
• Transit experience (how long have you been riding with MVTA, what routes / services typically use) 
• Interest statement explaining why applicants wants to serve as a champion 

Champions will have the option to participate in a multitude of ways. Champions must fulfil three of five options below throughout the year. Time commitments are included with each activity. All assignments are subject to change based on yearly MVTA events. MVTA will work with selected Champions to ensure assignment suite the champion’s strengths and availability.

• Tabling for community events: 2-3 hours per event; 3 event per year
• Three Rider educational activities: 30-60 minutes per activity; 5 activities per year
• Social Media content generation: minimum of 12 posts per year; subject to change based on events
• Participation in two focus groups: 1-2 hours per event; 2 events per year
• Complete five ride reviews: completed during normal rides but require short (5 minute) online form

Selected individuals will commit to participating in the Transit Champion program for the 2026 calendar year. At the conclusion of the pilot year, participants will have the option to reapply for future program opportunities.  

Champions complete a structured training program that will include:

• MVTA routes, services, and fare education
• Community outreach expectations
• Observation & reporting tools (apps, forms, or staff contacts)

Training will be delivered online, in three 30 minutes sessions. Selected champions are required to attend all training sessions.

Throughout the program year, Champions will receive ongoing support from MVTA staff, including regular check-ins, updates, and opportunities to ask questions and share feedback. These check-ins help ensure Champions feel supported and informed while participating in the program.

For each one-year term completed, transit champions will receive an MVTA swag bag and a limited number of complimentary ride passes, as determined by MVTA.