CommuteInfo Partners August 2011

CommuteInfo PartnersAugust 2011

A Strategic Approach toAddressing the Job Access Issue

A PresentationFrom Two Perspectives

• Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, Vera Krofcheck

• Accessible Transportation and Workforce Interagency Cooperative, Kathy Stefani

Background & Focus • Why Gap Analysis? o Coordinated Transportation Plan Update Federal requirement o Less JARC & New Freedom Funds Need to make smarter

investmentso Changes in PAAC services Jobs that are no longer accessible by

public transit

• What was Done?o GIS analysis of bus routes and job sites Assessment of disconnecto Focus on specific industries Entry-level jobs o Focus on specific locations Different issues – Different solutions

• What is Missing? o People Trip origin aspect o Region Allegheny County only o Asset-based understanding of locations Ideas for solutions

Big Picture • Mapso Job locations by size, by

industryo Bus routes .25 mile buffero Disconnected sites by

geographic regions in county

• Statistics o # and % of disconnected jobs

and disconnected employers by regions & by industries

o Combined statistics per municipality High priority areas

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

Defining

theProblem

Defining the

Problem

Defining the

Problem

Getting SmarterAbout the Gaps

• Through ATWIC-Led Analyseso 2011 TRWIB Study of Allegheny County Employment Sites

and Transit Connectivityo 2011 ATWIC Online Transportation Gaps Surveyo 2010 SPC Report on Environmental Justice

• Through Agency Engagemento ATWIC’s Accessible Transportation Task Forceo Scheduled to meet 4 times between now and June 30, 2012

Sept 20th, Dec 13th, Feb 23rd, May 24th

o Opportunity for more in-depth involvement through participation in an Ad-Hoc Working Group: Employment Sites/Transit Service Disconnections in Allegheny County

SO…What We Need toKnow to Get Started

• Job Location• Types of Jobs Available

o Education/skills requiredo Starting wageso Work scheduleso Potential for advancement

• Transportation Access to a Job Locationo How do current workers get to/from a given workplace?o Is there a need for other job access options?

Based on TRWIB Study• Job Location

o Moon & Robinson Townships – 11,617 jobs/530 businesseso Pine, McCandless, Ross, and Marshall Townships – 20,663

jobs/1,452 businesseso Monroeville – 7,522 jobs/325 businesses• Types of Jobs Available

o Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services – 2,943 jobso Healthcare and Social Assistance – 3,867 jobso Retail Trade – 2,974 jobso Accommodations and Food Service – 2,494 jobs• Transportation Access to a Job Locationo Transit disconnect, BUT IS THIS REALLY A PROBLEM?o If a problem, WHAT IS THE BEST SOLUTION?

‘Missing Mile’Services in Operation

• Airport Corridor Transportation Associationo For access to jobs; free service; 5-7 days/weeko RideACTA – Routes 24, 29, 28X – IKEA to businesses in Robinson Town Center

o RideACTA – West Busway to Penn Center West Building Five

• ACCESS Transportation Serviceso For eligible & registered people with disabilities; $2.25 one way; 7 days/weeko Connections – Throughout Allegheny County

• Heritage Community Initiativeso For access to jobs; free service; 6 days/week; requires program registrationo WorkLink - Clairton, East Pittsburgh, Glassport, McKeesport, North Versailles,

Port Vueo Major Job-Related Sites: Jefferson & McKeesport hospitals, CCAC West Mifflin,

Wal-Mart, Westinghouse Human Service Center

Finding theBest Solutions

• Work collaboratively, sharing expertise and experiences.

• Consider ALL transportation options - whether it’s driving, car- or vanpooling, public transit, biking, or walking.

• Develop a ‘menu’ of access options for areas where there are jobs in need of workers.