This Ride Works

Published February 26, 2007

IMAGINE A 2 ½-hour commute to work cut to 45 minutes. Imagine a job paying $7 an hour job turning into one paying $13 an hour.

Workers who use the Commuter Options vans operated by the Philadelphia Unemployment Project don't have to imagine - they have already experienced these great changes.

The 20-van program, run by the Philadelphia Unemployment Project and funded by a $1.5 million federal grant obtained by U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, lets Philadelphians reach the good-paying, entry-level jobs in the suburbs. The participants drive themselves and co-workers to the job. Each pays about $6 round-trip.

Some employers whose workers use the vans have made a $2,000 contribution to the program. Others have been reluctant; they probably believe a job is sufficient payback. But Commuter Options gives employers access to good workers who can now avoid a long, tedious commute to the job site. Said a representative from Quest Diagnostics in Trooper, Montgomery County: "Philadelphia is an excellent source for employees."

The program plans to double the number of vans this year. Kudos to the unemployment project and Fattah. But more employers need to contribute. Call John Dodds, 215-557-0822, for more information.