Photo courtesy of natashalcd

There is little sacred ground left in the public transportation world, especially when it comes to advertising.

I’ve previously Tweeted about ads making their way to license plates. We’ve long been enthralled — and by we, I include my kids — by the ads in the Red Line subway tunnel on the Braintree-to-South Station ride. Now comes news that the New York Bridge Authority is going to accept advertising on the bridges and toll booths it manages, netting a potential $500,000. GEICO is reportedly up first. As commuter columnist Judy Rife points out, 15 minutes could save us from our next toll increase.

Which got me thinking… What other advertisers should line up for such an opportunity to put their message in front bleary-eyed morning commuters and weary afternoon road warriors? Here’s 10:

1. Coffee shops: Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Tim Hortons, McDonalds, you name it. They likely would use the opportunity not only to tout their coffee, but also to promote their breakfasts, smoothies and other coffee accompaniments (music from Starbucks, for example).
2. Sand and gravel companies: This was really just an excuse to share the cool ad shown at right. Think of this not only as a B-to-B play, but for more consumer-focused messages, think landscaping projects: Pavers for sidewalks and paving services for driveways; boulders for rock walls, and cement-pouring for major home renovations. The ads should urge homeowners to rely on the experts (I know my lower back constantly needs that reminder), and save time in the process. After all, what driver sitting in toll booth traffic doesn’t want to save time, especially on the honey-do list for the upcoming weekend.
3. Car maintenance providers: Oil changes, brake service, car washes, auto detailing. All no-brainers. Anything to do with cars would work: Manufacturers, gas stations, tire stores, you name it.
4. Commuter rail: Metro-North, MBTA, BART, pick your favorite rail provider appropriate to the bridges you are driving on. Sure, if the ads are successful, it might cause an infinite loop or at least a riff in the space-time continuum, because the toll delay will be short lived if fewer drivers are using the bridges. But if the end result is a delay in rail fare increases, commuters still win, right?
5. Snacks: Nature Valley’s Granola Clusters come to mind. Tag line? Portable and delicious, even if the shape is a bit unnatural for granola. This gives me an idea for a whole other post on ideal commuter snacks. Watch for it soon….
6. Food delivery or take-out providers, especially on the homeward-bound side of the commute. Just remind folks to place that dinner order in a hands-free manner. No texting and tolling, please.
7. EZ Pass, Fast Lane, or whatever brand your local transponder happens to be: This one is a layup. The ad copy will write itself.
8. Tax software: Death, taxes and tolls. At least one of them should be quick and painless. (Why no one has hired me to write commuter-related ad copy is one of the great mysteries in life.)
9. Radio stations: Who knew that radio was still so strong? Wouldn’t hurt to remind commuters.
10. Job boards: Remember this 2009 Super Bowl ad from CareerBuilder?
    http://www.hulu.com/embed/TV-FWh4MLRt3ApOVJMicZA
    Timeless sentiment.

So there you go, Travelers Marketing of Wellesley, MA. Consider that lead list a gift from Commuter Daddy to you. Money for nothin’, and ideas for free.

Meanwhile, readers, add your suggestions to the comments. And while you are pondering potential and appropriate advertisers for your commute, check out the collection of ads with bridges in them over at Ads of the World. The Lamborghini one is my favorite: