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Establishing a Reverse Commuter Express Line in Kentucky
By Daniel Sturm, RefugeeWorks
Visitors know Louisville, Ky., as the hometown of the Louisville slugger, boxing champion Muhammad Ali, gonzo journalist Hunter Thompson and fried chicken guru Colonel Sanders. But Louisville is known for a few more things. As highlighted in a Sept. 18, 2007 article of The Wall Street Journal, it’s making headlines as one of the country’s most welcoming places for refugees. And perhaps not coincidentally, it’s also known for having one of the most commuter-friendly transportation systems.
In 1997 the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) established an express route between West Louisville and the Bluegrass Industrial Park, and also implemented a local circulator shuttle within the industrial park. Prior to this residents in job-scarce areas of the city had difficulty getting to work. Commuters often made three bus transfers, or were walking long distances. On average TARC users were commuting two hours in each direction.
After the reorganization, the travel time was reduced to 45 minutes.
Zarifa Rasool, the employment services coordinator at Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services in Louisville, said that the reverse commuter express line has benefited her clients greatly. “TARC’s innovative programs have made it a lot easier for our clients to find transportation to and from our ESL school, our office, home and work.”
TARC also established a night owl shuttle bus to offer shared-ride services for late shift workers, a service Rasool thinks is really helpful in supporting refugees on their path to self-sufficiency. The shuttle operates from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., 7 days a week. TARC vehicles pick commuters up at specific locations and times. The fare is $2.00 each way.
Finally, TARC has created a special “job hunter” bus connection, which provides pre-planned transportation to groups of 20 or more potential employees to job fairs throughout the metro area. The bus picks up job seekers at designated locations and transports them to their potential employment sites.
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Transportation:
Stories From the Field
Collaborating With Employers
It’s one thing to have a job; it’s another to actually get to and from that job. With a few small (and yet profound) adaptations, ABX Air, Wilmington, Ohio, has taken it upon itself to break down the transportation barrier. Click here for the full story.
Establishing a
Reverse Commuter Line
In Louisville, Kentucky, residents in job-scarce areas of the city had difficulty getting to work in the out-lying industrial areas – commuting on average two hours in each direction. The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) established an express route between West Louisville and the Bluegrass Industrial Park in 1997. After the reorganization, the travel time was reduced to 45 minutes. Read how this effort benefits refugees here.
Maryland Refugees
Gain Special Access to MVA
Obtaining a driver’s license is one of the largest barriers to employment, and for newcomers who live in Maryland, that obstacle used to be even larger. Automated phone systems and long lines kept many refugees waiting months for a driver’s license. Employment staff at the Baltimore Resettlement Center shared their concerns with the Maryland Office of New Americans, which in turn was able to strike a deal with the MVA. Read more about their efforts and the solution here.
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