The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) in partnership with SHARE Mobility has expanded its ConnectWorks program.
In January of this year, GCRTA officially announced ConnectWorks, a micro transit program that is designed to address the existing gaps in public transit by providing scheduled rides from bus stops to the front door of employers. The service is only available to employees at participating companies.
The pilot began operating from the GCRTA Southgate Transit Center located in Maple Heights. Riders board at the Transit Center (possibly having arrived there via other bus routes) and are transported directly to their employers in Solon. If you operate a manufacturing company in Solon, you can learn more and join the program here.
The Program Is Expanding
Now the service has expanded to the Brookpark Rapid Station to support companies and workers in the Aerozone. Just last month, the Cleveland Industrial Retention Initiative (CIRI), a program powered by Manufacturing Works, hosted an information webinar for companies in the region. For more information, contact Berkys Sosa, CIRI Industrial Development Manager, at 216.920.1959.
What Is Micro Transit and How Does It Work?
Micro transit is a transportation service that provides personalized rides by operating small-scale, on-demand public transit services. These services can offer both fixed routes and schedules, as well as flexible routes with on-demand scheduling options. The micro transit service offered by GCRTA and SHARE Mobility connects people from bus stations and train stations to the front door of their workplace. The service operates in real-time, meaning riders can book a ride and be picked up within minutes. Employees sign up for the service through their employers. Select employers will choose to participate in the program and enroll their employees into the service.
Once enrolled, SHARE Mobility will notify employers of an app and teach employers how the program works. After the initial set-up of the program, employees book their rides through SHARE Mobility which will accommodate their work schedules. The collaboration between GCRTA and SHARE Mobility does not only focus on addressing transportation concerns but bridges the equity gap. With the introduction of this program, employees will experience reduced commute times, lower transportation expenses, increased flexibility in scheduling, while employers will see increases in the available workforce.