Employers, Job Trainers, and State of Illinois Team Up with Pace to Expand Bus Service
Transportation Needs of Late-Shift Employees Addressed By New Service

Special to juliehamos.org
August 15, 2001

Last summer, Evanston and Rogers Park residents working at Lutheran General Hospital faced a dilemma every workday. While public transportation was available at the beginning of the day, service stopped before the later shifts ended. That left many people stranded in Des Plaines, forcing them to pay for taxis or leave their positions altogether.

Now, things have changed.

In an innovative approach that includes commitments from employers, job trainers, the State of Illinois and Pace, Pace Route 250 has been expanded to better suit the needs of both employees and employers. Route 250 runs from the Davis Street CTA station in Evanston along Dempster Street to Des Plaines.

In August of 2001, Pace Route 215 also will be extended, expanding transportation options for hundreds of employees. This route connects the Howard Street CTA station to Rush North Shore Hospital, Old Orchard Mall, and the Skokie Court House.


Federal Jobs Access/ Reverse Commute funds provide opportunities for Pace

After winning a competitive grant from the federal Jobs Access/Reverse Commute (JARC) program, Pace attended the January 2001 meeting of the 18th District Jobs Task Force to review the requirements of the grant and to identify needed route extensions. A subcommittee was formed, including representatives of the Workforce Board, the Evanston ?One-stop? Employment Center, job trainers, Lutheran General Hospital, Pace, and the office of Rep. Hamos.


A Unique Approach

The formation of the subcommittee brought to the table a diverse group of stakeholders that represent all aspects of workforce development. The presence of both employers and representatives for employees gave the subcommittee insight into all sides of transportation-to-work issues, and enabled the group to address the project in a much more comprehensive way.

For example, workers need time after their shift officially ends to change clothes, clean up, or
walk from their workspace to the bus stop. Additionally, employer involvement in promotion of any new service would be vital to the success of the project. With everyone involved in the planning process of the project, these concerns could be addressed.


Lutheran General Hospital Anchors Route 250

Using general data provided by the One-Stop and by job training providers, the subcommittee reviewed and compared the location of large employers and job-seekers to existing Pace service. Six routes were identified as prospective projects, with Route 250 along Dempster St. showing great potential.

Under the JARC program, federal grant money must be met with a local match. These funds can be furnished through state or local grants or through a commitment by employers to purchase monthly passes. Lutheran General and Strive North, a Rogers Park job training facility, agreed to partially fund the service through monthly pass sales, and the Illinois Department of Human Services provided the remaining amount. The extended service began June 10, 2001.


Success Repeated With Route 215

With Route 250 ready to go, the subcommittee began looking for local partners for other routes that should be extended. Building on the model developed with Route 250, the subcommittee contacted large employers along Route 215. Rush North Shore expressed great interest in bringing extended service to route 215, and committed to providing the local match through pass sales. This new service will begin in mid-August of 2001.


Other Route Extensions Planned

In May, Pace, the Workforce Board, and the office of Rep. Hamos met with economic development personnel from Skokie, Morton Grove, and Niles, with the purpose of getting local help in further assessing the needs of large employers, specifically the industrial/manufacturing area bordered by Touhy, Oakton, Niles Center Road, and Caldwell, which is only served by one route along Touhy. Follow-up meetings will be held in late August.


Lessons learned

The Jobs Task Force created a model that involved a diverse group in not only planning but also implementation of new bus service. These routes would not have been expanded without a commitment from large employers. The knowledge brought by employers and job trainers enabled the new service to best fit the needs of both groups. Innovative funding streams are available - but require active cooperation and financial involvement of all concerned. The active promotion of the new service by employers and job trainers will ensure that it is used and continued for subsequent years.

Pace has since used this model to begin extension talks in the northwest suburbs, with success. Many thanks to everyone on the Jobs Task Force for making the project such an amazing success.