Job Access and Reverse Commute (jarc) Program fy 2009 Service Profiles Region X alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington October 2010 fta-08-0162 Job Access and Reverse Commute (jarc) fy 2009 Service Profiles: Region X

Evaluation: For RideWise - Follow-up evaluations are performed at three and six months after an individual has successfully exited out of the program to ensure that they are still using the public bus system. A high percentage are taking as many or more trips on transit than the originally reported. For WorkLink – Class participants are evaluated after each course. Evaluations show that a high percentage of participants will use public transportation for their to-work trips.
Accomplishments: RideWise - Working with transitional students who have been placed in job training programs or employed has proven very successful. RideWise staff work with transitional staff to support their efforts in travel training which allows us to serve more people. WorkLink – We consistently exceed our goals. In FY 2009 a new Spanish speaking contractor was identified and we have seen an increase in LEP individuals receiving course material.
Lessons learned: RideWise – You must find champions when reaching out to support staff and agency professionals. When outreach is being done, you cannot assume because you have gone to a site (i.e. Vocational Rehabilitation branch) that everyone at the organization believes that public transportation is the best mode for their clients. Find champions of the cause and ask them to promote the program on your behalf. WorkLink – It is best to work with employment specialists at One-Stop or Workforce Development sites. We have found success in asking that transportation information be including in pre-existing course.

Swan Island Transportation Management Association (498)

Swan Island Evening Shuttle (436)

Location: Portland (OR)
Type: Trip-Based Services/Shuttle/feeder services
Goal: Expanded geographic coverage
Service description: Swan Island is identified as a target employment area and has high employment density as well as a high percentage of family wage jobs. Several large Swan Island employers (Daimler Trucks NA, UPS, Fed Ex, Columbia Distributing, Vigor Industrial, and Service Steel) operate two or more shifts per day; entry level employment opportunities are typically greater during second (swing) or third (graveyard) shifts. The Evening Shuttle makes those shifts accessible to a greater number of area residents, particularly those living in adjacent Portland neighborhoods that have high percentage of families living below 150% of the federal poverty level. Combined with TriMet 85 service, transit access is provided most shift start and end times.