Vanpool program aims to solve transportation problems for many workers

Transportation to and from work is a real issue for many in York County and Southcentral Pennsylvania.

A new commuter vanpool service was unveiled Tuesday, Feb. 24, to bridge the gap to help eliminate transportation as a barrier to employment.

State and local leaders, along with economic development partners, unveiled a pilot commuter vanpool service called RabbitWORKS as a more cost-effective solution for employees working 2nd and 3rd shifts in Cumberland, Dauphin and York counties to get to their places of employment.

“Reliable, affordable transportation isn’t just nice to have; it’s a recruitment and retention requirement. When workers know they have a dependable ride to and from any shift, they’re more likely to show up,” President and CEO of the York County Economic Alliance Kevin Schreiber said.

Rabbittransit has budgeted $100,000 for the program and anticipates that this will fund 5-6 vanpools this year. Program participants will pay a set low fare of $40 a month for the first 5 months of service, and then $80 a month starting in month 6. The remaining costs will be subsidized by Rabbittransit as a lower cost alternative to extending the hours of fixed route service.

Rabbitcares, the charitable organization of Rabbittransit, received a $50,000 Transportation Innovation Grant from the United Way of York County Jan. 1 to support RabbitWORKS. The funding helps expand affordable, reliable transportation for residents in York County.

“The United Way of York County’s 2024 Transportation Equity Study paints a clear picture of the challenge,” Schreiber said. “Over 10,000 households in York County have no vehicles. A median-income family spends 26% of their household income on transportation, nearly double the national average. And for very low-income individuals, that figure climbs to 66%.”

Transportation insecurity has been experienced by 31% of residents in the past year, Schreiber said, meaning they couldn’t get where they needed to go reliably and safely.

Rabbittransit Executive Director Richard Farr stated that traditional transit option doesn’t always align with non-traditional hours and vanpools close that gap.

“For years, we’ve heard from employers and workers alike that a real gap exists for 2nd and 3rd shift employees – the nurses, warehouse staff, manufacturing employees, and essential workers who keep our community moving when much of the community is asleep,” Farr stated.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said that the vanpool service is vital to help those re-entering the workforce after incarceration a chance to succeed.

“This program provides avenues for reentrants facing barriers finding transportation to work, which is key to building self-confidence and a sense of identity,” Sunday stated. “York County’s continued investment in reentry and support services opens the door to opportunity and lasting success.”

Commuters living in the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, or York, regardless of where they work, who are interested in joining the RabbitWORKS program, can visit: Commute with Enterprise.

Prospective employer partners and participants can contact Bill Whiteside at 717-725-5406 or [email protected]. Questions about the program can also be directed to rabbittransit’s Customer Service Department at 1-800-632-9063 or email [email protected].