February 2009 Update
Reliable Transportation for Inner City residents working in the Suburbs
Commuter Options continues to expand with 32 van and carpools in operation
 Click here for van pool application (pdf fill-in form) |
The Philadelphia Unemployment Project’s Commuter Options program continues to thrive. Currently there are 32 van and carpools leaving Philadelphia each day taking inner city workers to suburban employers. In the Commuter Options model one of the workers drives the vehicle and keeps it in his or her possession. While the economy has taken its toll on some of our van pools many more continue to provide convenient transportation to employers not readily accessible by public transportation. The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Departments of Labor and Industry and Welfare and contributions from employers utilizing the service as well as modest fares paid by the commuters. One of our newest partnerships is with Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation in Logan Township, NJ. They employ manufacturing workers, pay a good wage and have three PUPCO vanpools. Another organization that has recently begun working with PUPCO is the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Reentry for Ex-Offenders helping provide jobs for a hard to place population. PUPCO is pleased that in addition to our new partners, we have been successful in maintaining relationships with several companies who have found PUPCO to be a very valuable part of their operations. Some of our appreciated relationships of over two years are with Synthes Inc., JOBS1USA/UHAUL, Quest Diagnostics, Hartford Insurance Company, and Rite Aid Pharmacy. We also continue to provide transportation for welfare to work clients through the city’s EARN Centers. |
Commuter Options Van Pools:
Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation (ESCO) – A manufacturer and the newest member of the PUPCO family has 2 vanpools. The pay rate is between $12.00 and $17.00 per hour.
- A vanpool of 6 people from North Philadelphia goes to Logan Township, NJ.
- A vanpool of 5 people from South/West Philadelphia goes to Logan Township, NJ.
- A vanpool of 4 people from Yeadon/SW Philadelphia to Logan Township, NJ.
Hartford Insurance Company – Hartford is one of Commuter Options oldest vanpools. Hartford has one carpool of 3 traveling from West Philadelphia to Fort Washington, PA. These Customer Service positions start at $12.50 per hour.
Consolidated Services Group (CSG) - One vanpool of North Philadelphians goes to Cherry Hill, NJ for customer service jobs. They were former clients of the People for People EARN Center. Their pay rate begins at between $10.00 and $11.00 per hour.
JOBS1USA/ UHAUL – This manufacturer currently has 3 vanpools in operation. Two pools were recently lost due to temporary layoffs. PUPCO has been able to maintain transportation for all those still working. The pay rate is from $9.00 to above $16.00 per hour.
- A pool of 4 people from Frankford is going to Fairless Hills on the first shift.
- A pool of 3 people from West Philadelphia is going to Fairless Hills on first shift.
- A pool of 4 administrative staff from Mt. Airy and Elkins Park going to Fairless Hills on first shift.
Mayor’s Office of Reentry / A.C. Moore - The Mayor’s Office of Reentry and A.C. Moore in Berlin, NJ have partnered together to form a pool of 2 from Southwest Philadelphians to work. These jobs pay $10.00 per hour to start.
NCO Financial – One pool of 4 people from the People for People EARN Center are coming from Germantown and North Philly. Although the driver has maintained employment, the pool still struggles to maintain a stable group of riders. The positions range from $9.00 to $10.50 per hour.
Progressive Insurance Company - This Company has two vanpools of customer service and billing specialists. This group starts at about $10 to $12.00 per hour. One of the managers at Progressive is a driver for the vanpool.
- Van pool of 4 people from Northeast to Eddystone, PA.
- Vanpool of 4 people from West Philadelphia to Eddystone, PA.
Quest Diagnostics – Two separate locations of Quest Diagnostics is operating van and carpools. Quest has been working with PUP for two of the three years of PUPCO’s operation. These jobs are paying between $12.50 and $17.00 per hour.
- A car pool of 4 people from West Philly to Norristown on day shift.
- A car pool of 3 people from North Philly to Norristown on day shift.
- A van pool of 4 people from Upper Darby/Wet Philadelphia to Norristown on day shift.
- A van pool of 3 people from West Philadelphia to Norristown.
- A van pool of 5 people from Olney to Norristown on day shift.
- A van pool of 4 people from Germantown and North Philadelphia going to Horsham on third shift.
- A car pool of 3 people from West Philly area going to Horsham on day shift.
- A van pool of 4 people from West Philly to Horsham on third shift.
- A van pool of 4 people Olney/Germantown to Horsham on third shift.
Rite Aid – A pool goes to the Rite Aide warehouse in Fairless Hills, PA and has been operating for over a year. This group is made up primarily of former clients of the People for People EARN Center. This job pays an average of $10.00 per hour.
St. Gabriel’s Hall – This school for troubled youth have a number of youth care workers who needed transportation to their 100 acre campus in a remote part of Montgomery County. They currently have three van pools in operation. These jobs start at about $11.00 per hour.
- A van pool of 3 from West Philadelphia working second shift to travel to Audubon, PA.
- A car pool of 5 people from N.E. and North Philadelphia commute to Audubon for the third shift.
- A group of 4 from the Germantown and Olney commute together to Audubon for the second shift.
Synthes – This manufacturer of medical prosthetics in West Goshen, PA is also a long time partner of Commuter Options with 3 pools in operation. The rate of pay ranges from $12.00 to $19.00 per hour.
1. A van pool of 5 people from NE Philadelphia to West Goshen for first shift.
2. A van pool of 5 people from NE Philadelphia to West Goshen for first shift.
3. A van pool of 6 workers from NE Philadelphia to West Goshen for second shift.
United Seed - Three production workers leave the North Philadelphia area to work in King of Prussia, PA. The rate of pay ranges from $8.00 to $16.00 per hour.
SRS /NCO - 5 people from Mt. Airy/Germantown to Horsham (2 shifts) - Collection work. The rate of pay is $9.00 per hour.
Express Scripts / Nutri System
- 2 people from Frankford to Feasterville- Customer Service. Pay is $10.00 per hour.
- 2 people from Frankford to Horsham- Warehouse Work. Pay is $9.00 an hour.
MISSION STATEMENT
Philadelphia Unemployment Project Commuter Options offers a solution for commuters needing to go where transit doesn’t. PUP makes available minivans for Delaware Valley commuters who want convenient, safe access to otherwise unreachable jobs.
HOW DO I START A VANPOOL?
It takes at least four commuters (including the driver and backup driver) to start a vanpool. Our minivans seat up to seven commuters.
At least one and preferably two commuters in a pool must be 23 years or older, have a standard, clean (going back three years) Class C driver's license and will drive the minivan and take it home at night. Also, the driver will be responsible for taking the van for routine cleaning and service.
PUP pays for all gas, maintenance, and insurance, and will arrange replacement or emergency transportation for commuters.
Pools can travel almost anywhere within about an hour's radius of Center City. For specific origins and destinations, call Will at 215-557-0822.
All potential commutes will be looked at considering existing transit options, and commuters will be referred to transit routes if they run nearby at convenient times.
If you have enough commuters for a pool and a couple qualified drivers, call Will at PUP today at 215-557-0822 to get started.
HOW DO I GET INTO AN EXISTING VANPOOL?
Click here for van pool application (pdf fill-in form)
Press Coverage
City-to-burbs commuter service grows