DOT unveils "Freedom Moves You" Freedom 250 campaign; partners pledge transit wraps and an IndyCar race in D.C.

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday unveiled "Freedom Moves You," the department's campaign for America's 250th anniversary, announcing partnerships with transit operators and private companies that will display commemorative imagery in stations, on vehicles and at major events.

"I have to tell you all that we have the best program to celebrate America's birthday," the Secretary of Transportation said in opening remarks, introducing the campaign and its central website, freedom250.org.

The event at Union Station brought together federal and industry partners. Ambassador Monica Crowley, the administration's representative to Freedom 250 and Chief of Protocol, outlined a slate of national happenings she said will accompany the campaign, saying, "we have so many incredible things planned including the Great American State Fair on the National Mall," a UFC fight on the South Lawn in June, a national prayer event in June and a large July 4 salute across New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Private partners will supply national reach and physical placements for the campaign creative. Anna Bogner, president and CEO of the Out of Home Advertising Association of America, said the out-of-home industry will donate ad space in airports, transit hubs and on highways so the Freedom 250 images "will appear across the country." She added the medium reaches more than 90% of the U.S. population weekly in transit hubs and on highways, as presented at the event.

Transport operators announced commemorative vehicle liveries and education partnerships. Elliot Hamlisch, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Amtrak, said the railroad will run a special edition train wrapped for Freedom 250 and will support student experiences in partnership with DOT; he told the audience that "nearly 6 million Amtrak customers passed through these doors" at Union Station last year. Brightline's chief executive, Patrick Goddard, described a "Freedom Express," a 10-coach commemorative train that Brightline plans to operate through July.

Local transit agencies will participate as well. Andy Off, deputy general manager of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), told the audience Metro will wrap trains in recognition of Metro's 50th anniversary and support the city's Freedom 250 activities; in his remarks he said WMATA "moved 256,000 people" without specifying the time interval for that figure.

DOT also highlighted a marquee public spectacle: an IndyCar race proposed for the District. Bud Decker of Penske said organizers plan to bring Indy cars to Pennsylvania Avenue and streets around the National Mall at high speeds for a two-day event on Aug. 22'23, and that organizers will publicly unveil the route and cars at a noon ceremony in the coming days. Decker said the event required multiple sign-offs and credited a recently signed executive order as enabling the project, as stated at the podium.

Other private-sector participants pledged participation in their modes: Amtrak and some airlines will wrap trains or planes, and FlixBus and Greyhound will wrap buses, according to Katie Chu Hai, head of government affairs for FlixBus and Greyhound.

DOT framed the campaign as a way to engage Americans with civic history while reaching travelers where they move. The launch at Union Station included remarks from Douglas Carr, president and CEO of Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, who thanked DOT for support to beautify and improve the station for its hundreds of thousands of daily visitors and commuters.

The department and partners directed the public to freedom250.org for schedules and local events. Officials closed the program by encouraging Americans to travel and visit national sites as part of the celebration.

The announcement was primarily a campaign and event launch and did not include formal votes or regulatory actions. Organizers said route and operational details for the IndyCar event would be unveiled at a separate public event.