Transportation Partnerships Connecting Workforce with Jobs

Bridging the Gap Between Employers and Their Workforce

BY BRONLEY MARTIN | URBAN REVITALIZATION MANAGER

The inability to find reliable, consistent transportation options to and from work is a burden to many seeking employment. A 2018 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia shows that the five largest employment centers are accessible by less than 10 percent of working-age residents of York County who rely on public transportation to get to work.

YCEA talked to two transportation partners, Rabbittransit and Commute PA, to find out what is being done to bridge this gap between the workforce and employers.

Q: How does your organization play a role in increasing access to employment opportunities

Rabbittransit: We play a pivotal role in enhancing access to employment opportunities within York County through a multifaceted approach. Firstly, the integrated public transit connections spanning the county ensure that a majority of the top 50 employers are seamlessly linked within the network, facilitating efficient commuting for the workforce. For those without car ownership, public transit provides a reliable alternative, reducing transportation costs significantly compared to car ownership while also alleviating congestion on roadways, thereby potentially leading to faster and more reliable commutes for everyone.

Commute PA: Our organization maintains a professional outreach team offering a turn-key approach for employers and organizations to help create positive commute experiences for their employees and members of the public.  The wide array of programs and services available from Commute PA are provided free of charge and will help employers improve attendance, enhance productivity, reduce parking costs, save on payroll taxes, achieve sustainability goals, and facilitate greater access to transportation options.

Q: Are there any partnerships or collaborations with local businesses, local governments, or other stakeholders to enhance employment access?

Rabbittransit: Partnerships and collaborations with local businesses and organizations play a crucial role in enhancing employment access through public transit in York County. Route 33 service has established definitive partnerships with major companies like FedEx, Amazon, and ES3, ensuring guaranteed transit routes that cater to the needs of their employees. Rabbittransit also collaborates extensively with local government by actively participating in key planning initiatives like the Coordinated Human Services Plan, Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and Freight Advisory Committee, among others.

Commute PA: We work with Commute with Enterprise to assist in the formation of vanpools at employer locations to help aid in recruitment and retention. Based on the needs of the employer, Commute PA will work directly with vanpool providers or shuttle companies to help tailor a program that would align with the employer's needs.

Q: What programs or initiatives has your organization implemented to address transportation barriers and improve employment access, particularly for underserved or marginalized populations?

Rabbittransit: We have implemented a range of initiatives and strategies to enhance access to employment for underserved or marginalized communities. Firstly, through the Veterans Transportation Program, veterans receive free or reduced fares, easing their transition into the workforce. Recently, rabbittransit increased the frequency of its Route 1, enhancing connectivity between underserved communities and employment hubs during peak commuting hours, thereby reducing travel time by 50%

Commute PA: We have worked alongside organizations such as staffing agencies, reentry programs, PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, PA CareerLink, Affordable Housing Advocates, and the United Way to provide resources to a wide spectrum of the community with specific transportation obstacles.

To learn more about rabbittransit, visit rabbittransit.org

To learn more about Commute PA, visit commutepa.org