Job Access and Reverse Commute

Purpose: Promote and expand employment options by increasing access to the Industrial Park/Williamsport employment center from the Eastern Lycoming area of Lycoming County.

Vision: Individuals increase their options for employment through expanded transportation routes, thereby increasing their capacity to earn a life-sustaining income.

Program Overview – As part of STEP’S Workforce Development Pathway, the Job Access and Reverse Commute _Transportation Program utilizes a successful partnership between STEP and River Valley Transit (RVT) to provide route/point deviation services 3/4 of a mile from any RVT fixed routes within the East Lycoming fixed route service area.  This service is targeted to accommodate work trips for individuals with disabilities who need transportation to the Reach Road area, as well as the general population.

In addition, RVT operates a downtown park-n-ride connector service during the weekdays to provide better fixed route transportation service connections between the Trade & Transit Centre, Church Street Transportation Center, major downtown parking areas, downtown hotels, Wegman’s, Kohl’s, Susquehanna Health’s Williamsport campus and other major employment areas and retail centers in the City’s downtown central business district.  This fixed route transportation service provides work trips targeted at employment opportunity clusters.

Benchmarks of Success

• Individuals overcome transportation barriers that hinder their ability to search for, find, be hired and maintain life-sustaining employment.
• Individuals expand employment options through increased route access.
• Employers have access to an increased labor pool through expanded public transportation routes.