Transit Advertising Policy
Salisbury Transit is a high-impact, high-exposure medium for your business. Located along I-85, mid-way between Greensboro and Charlotte, Salisbury boasts a population of 34,000 active residents. In addition, thousands of visitors journey through our community to attend special events such as the annual Cheerwine Festival, Halloween Funfest, and Wine About Winter. Advertising with Salisbury Transit increases awareness of your brand to commuters, drivers, families, college students and pedestrians through continuous exposure and the use of large, mobile graphics. Your brand can be a moving billboard, delivering your message throughout Salisbury, Spencer, East Spencer and other municipalities in Rowan County. Exterior and interior space is available, as well as shelter, flyer, and schedule advertising opportunities.
Advertising Policy PDF
Purpose
The City of Salisbury's goal is to provide reliable and efficient public transportation to the community. In
order to support the general operations of Salisbury Transit, a transit advertising program is desired to
supplement income from federal, state and local funding as well as the farebox and other revenues.
Application
This advertising policy is applicable to the sales and posting of all new advertisements on the interiors
and exteriors of municipal transit revenue and service vehicles, structures, publications and other transit
assets, here forth referenced as "Transit Facilities."
Declaration of Forum Status
Lending to Salisbury Transit's purpose and the advertising program's sole goal of generating advertising
revenue, the transit facilities are declared a "non-public" forum where restrictions on advertising
content may be imposed if controversial content is deemed to diminish Salisbury Transit's reputation in
the community, negatively affect the provision of transit services or inhibit the sales of advertising. The
acceptance of advertising is not intended to create a general public forum for expressive activities
soliciting public discourse and debate.
Content
Salisbury Transit will accept commercial advertising, defined as having the purpose of selling or renting
products, services or property for a profit. Salisbury Transit will also accept advertising from government
and from non-profit organizations as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c) (3) providing
social welfare services serving the need of Salisbury Transit riders as well as the overall Salisbury
community subject to the restrictions below.
Content Restrictions
The following categories of content are restricted from display on/in Salisbury Transit facilities:
- Alcohol Products
- Tobacco Products
- Political campaigns or issues
- Non-commercial issues expressing or advocating an opinion, position or viewpoint on matters of public
debate about economic, religious or social issues
- Content that is critical regarding race, national origin, ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual
orientation or any federally protected class. Any ad deemed to violate the intent of the above restricted
items is prohibited.
- Content that is derogatory to any place, person or thing.
- Content that declares or implies endorsement by the City of Salisbury/Salisbury Transit unless approved
prior to display
- Illegal Goods or Services
- Copyright or trademark violations
- Obscene materials as defined in North Carolina General Statute Section 14-190.1(b)
- Offensive materials as would be defined by a reasonably prudent person of average sensitivity including
profane, immoral or disreputable language or images
- Adult entertainment and retail
- Unlawful conduct
- Firearms and Weapons
- Content that is false, misleading or deceptive
- Content that if displayed would violate any federal or state law or regulation, or any law, regulation or
ordinance of any municipality in which the transit facilities reside or traverse
- Communications vehicles directing viewers to the above restricted content including address, phone,
website, social media or QR code
Advertiser, at the discretion of Salisbury Transit may be required to include disclaimer in lower or upper
right corner of advertisement stating ad is paid for by advertiser. The disclaimer must be sized to be
easily read with remaining ad content.
Appeals
In the event that content supplied for advertising on transit facilities is rejected, the advertiser has the
option to request reconsideration from the Appeals Committee consisting of the Transit Director and
Communications Manager. If advertiser is dissatisfied with this level of ruling, an additional appeal can
be submitted to the Assistant City Manager. Following rejection at this level, the final appeal may be
submitted to the City Manager whose decision will be final.
Advertising Procedure
Individuals, organizations and representative agencies who desire to place advertising with Salisbury
Transit are asked to follow the procedure below:
- Contact the City of Salisbury Transit Director for current space availability. They will need to provide
the requested ad type, # of ads, start & ending date and billing information.
- Sign advertising agreement provided by Salisbury Transit for a minimum run of 4 weeks.
- As advertiser is responsible for design and printing, provide artwork for approval by Transit Director
and/or Communications Manager. If there is a question of appropriate content, the artwork will be
reviewed by Assistant City Manager and ultimately, City Manager. Salisbury Transit can provide vendors
who can assist with printing services. Any vendor not recommended by Salisbury Transit must be
approved prior to use to assure suitability of materials.
- Supply artwork printed on appropriate display material to Salisbury Transit by the Thursday prior to
schedule start. Installations will take place on Sundays unless otherwise agreed.
- Once invoiced, pay for advertising as directed in correspondence which will include installation and
removal costs. If payment is not received when due, advertising is subject to early removal and
advertiser will be liable for contracted amount in its entirety.
- If advertising is purchased by an agency, rates are net to Salisbury Transit. No commissions will be
paid or refunded from Salisbury Transit.
- Note that provision of public transportation services will remain the priority of Salisbury Transit.
Therefore, advertisements cannot be guaranteed specific routes or times, and may deviate from
scheduled use in case of emergency or other reason without notice.
- Buses containing advertisements may be removed occasionally from active service for maintenance
or repair functions as well as service rotations. Any lost time due to these reasons may be compensated
with the extension of current advertising schedule. No refunds of lost time will be provided by Salisbury
Transit.
Rates
Rates for the leasing of advertising space with Salisbury Transit are available from the office of the
Transit Director. The minimum length of advertising is 4 weeks. Salisbury Transit advertising rates may be adjusted for market conditions and other factors by the
Transit Director at any time.