We all know the childhood tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears — the curious girl who stumbles upon a cottage in the woods and tests out three bowls of porridge, three chairs, and three beds, all belonging to a family of bears.

As the story goes, the first bowl of porridge is too hot, the second too cold, but the third is just right. 

Naturally, Goldilocks chooses what feels right each time — the porridge she eats, the chair she sits in, or the bed she sleeps in.

Some agencies might suggest they are funded in the public transportation space. Some complain that they are funded too little. I have never heard a public transportation executive proclaim that they are funded too much. And if no public agencies are funded too much, then, by definition, none are funded too little. To steal from Goldilocks’ thinking, they are all funded just right.

Demonstrating Worthiness for Additional Funding

Communities determine what level of funding public agencies should receive. As leaders, we must demonstrate that we are worthy of further investment, should we desire it. 

The question is, how do we explain that?  How do we move from the just-right small bowl to the large one? 

We would suggest there are three factors:

1. Deliver Excellence: Regardless of funding level — whether "too cold" or even if the agency recognizes it as "just right" — it is incumbent upon our customers to deliver excellence. The argument that "if you just gave us more money, we would finally become good" rings hollow. Deliver excellence, and taxpayers will invest. They see measurable value. 

2. Measure What Matters: It is imperative to focus on outcomes, not inputs, use third-party data or objective technology, and share results frequently. Agencies that concentrate on those three factors are well-positioned to defend naysayer attacks. 

• Outcomes vs. Inputs: Shift to measuring and reporting customer satisfaction versus focusing on on-time performance. 

• Third-Party Data: Utilize reliable information systems, such as third-party or dashboard tools, to measure and tabulate performance.

• Share Results:Communicate, communicate, and communicate. Share privately and publicly on a regular schedule and at a consistent frequency.  
  
  3. Communicate on Offense: There are two techniques to public communication: you're either on offense or defense. That's it. Suppose your agency is focused on measuring what matters, consistent with the elements described, and your execution is committed to excellence. From a communications perspective, there is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate. Push your narrative. Create events that showcase that success. Manufacture news. Every. Single. Week. 

Find Your “Just Right”

American taxpayers are much more likely to find value in their public transportation system than they use it.  

It is traditional for transit people to talk incessantly about ridership levels. It is not at all how those making funding decisions see it.  

Public agencies are funded just right, requiring professionals to deliver value. 

Speaking the language that resonates with those who control the purse strings is a quick way to enjoy more porridge.