Vanpool program aims to solve transportation problems for many workers

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.