Commuter Options Continues to be the Link to Work for Philadelphians to Suburban Jobs

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Story Links Phila. Van-Pooling Organization Expands As Jobs Become More Scarce Voices of workers riding Commuter Options vans (KWY interview) KYW/ Education Report:Helping People Find Jobs City Paper: A Much-Needed Lift Congressman Fattah/ PUP annnounce plan to double Commuter Options Chaka Fattah Press Release February 23, 2007 Press Advisory Courier Times: 5 bucks pays way to Bucks Elmer Smith: Van pools ease a reverse commute Daily News: This Ride Works What Business Can Do Inquirer: City-to-burbs commuter service grows Slides

Commuter Options

August 2011 Update

Commuter Options Continues to be the Link to Work for Philadelphians to Suburban Jobs

20 van and car pools transport workers each day

As the jobless recovery continues the Commuter Options program continues to offer a path to employment for Philadelphia workers.  Commuter Options van and car pools provide transportation to nearly 100 workers daily to jobs in the suburbs.  In June the Philadelphia unemployment rate was 10.5%, far above the state’s 7.6% average as well as Montgomery county’s 6.8% and Chester county’s 6.3%. 
Philadelphians have a particularly difficult time accessing jobs due to transportation issues. A recent study by the Brookings Institute found that the Philadelphia metropolitan area ranked fifth-worst of the 98 regions studied in the nation, with 63.7 percent of its jobs more than 10 miles from city center.  This problem is worsened as one third of Philadelphia households have no vehicles, particularly low income families who are faced with the nation’s third highest car insurance rates, along with other expenses of operating a car.
Funding reductions have forced Commuter Options to reduce our fleet, but as of July 2011 we still have 20 car and van pools getting inner city workers to their suburban jobs.  The pools are managed by Commuter Options, but the driving is handled by the workers themselves.
Through a partnership with Lutheran Children and Family Services we have started two new pools for Liberian refugees.  The workers go to Country Fresh Inc. in Hatfield, PA. Country Fresh to packages and distribute fresh fruit to various retail outlets.   
Current Commuter Options Car and Van Pools

1. 6 people from N.E. Phila travel to Synthes, Inc. in West Goshen, PA working as machinists at a starting rate of $13.00 per hour
2. 2 People from North Phila to Synthes, Inc. in West Goshen, Pa working as machinists at a starting rate of $13.00 per hour
3. 5 People from N.E. Phila to Synthes Inc. in West Goshen, PA working as machinists at a starting rate of $13.00
4. 4 People from  Germantown to Quest Diagnostics Billing Center in Norristown, PA processing bills at an average rate of $15.00 per hour
5. 2 People from NE Phila to Quest Diagnostics Processing Center in Horsham, PA as specimen processors starting at a rate of $11.00 per hour
6. 3 People from West Phila to Quest diagnostics Billing Center in Norristown, Pa starting at $15.00 per hour as billing processors.
7. 2 People from West Phila to Quest Diagnostics Billing Center in Norristown, Pa starting at a rate of $15.00 per hour.
8. 4 People from NE Phila. to Quest diagnostics Billing Center in Norristown, PA starting at $15.00 per hour
9. 4 People from NE Phila to Quest Diagnostics Billing Center in Norristown, Pa starting at $15.00 per hour.
10. 3 People from Germantown to NCO Financial in Horsham Pa working as bill collectors starting at a rate of $12.00 per hour
11. 3 People West Phila to St. Gabriel’s Hall in Audubon, PA working as residential counselors and activity aids at a starting rate of $11 per hour
12. 2 People from NE Philadelphia to Recover Care in Bensalem, PA working as medical bill collectors at a starting rate of $10 per hour
13. 4 People from North Phila to E.S.C.O. in Logan Township, NJ assembling and preparing aviation parts with a starting rate of $12.00 per hour
14. 6 People from West Phila to E.S.C.O. in Logan Township, NJ assembling and preparing aviation parts with a starting rate of $12.00 per hour
15. 4 People from West Phila to E.S.C.O. in Logan Township, NJ assembling and preparing aviation parts with a starting rate of $12.00 per hour
16. 4 People from Mt. Airy to E.S.C.O. in Logan Township, NJ assembling and preparing aviation parts with a starting rate of $12.00 per hour
17. 7 People from N.E. Phila To Aegon Inc. in Exton, PA in a warehouse with a starting rate of $11 per hour
18. 4 people from Germantown to Quest Diagnostics doing medical billing at $15, hour and up.
19.  4 Liberian refugees living in SW Phila to Country Fresh in Hatfield to prepare and package fresh produce at $8.50/ hour.
20. 4 Liberian refugees from SW Phila to Country Fresh in Hatfield to prepare and package fresh produce at $8.50/ hour.

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