MCAT Takes On A New Look

BRADENTON --At the Manatee Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, the board voted of 5-2 to approve a new color and design for the Manatee County Area Transit buses, stop-shelters and benches -- and the advertising is coming off.

It's being called a Community Transit Rebranding, and Aqua Marketing & Communications (AQUA) was hired to design a branding scheme to retro-fit existing buses and bus shelters the county could use as a future standard.

Out the door went the old color scheme and design, along with the existing contract with Metro Bench of Bradenton, who have had a partner relationship with the county for almost 60 years. 

The county has over 450 bus and trolly benches across the county, and many non-profits use them to get the word out. Opposed to the new  no-advertising benches were Commissioners DiSabatino and Whitmore. Some of the Public Service Announcements (PSA) placed on these benches, were for guide dogs, the Boys and Girls clubs and the Keep Manatee Beautiful campaign.

Representatives from the Lions Club were there in support of finding a way for Metro to renew their contract, which will expire April 30, 2013. 

Some of the cost to to outfit the new shelters will come from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and some from a Federal Transit Administration Grant. The process is scheduled to take 18 months for completion.