April 2011

6 TO SUCCESS: THE RURAL TO URBAN CONNECTION

Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas serves two customers: local businesses and jobseekers.  Every day, staff does what it takes to connect workers seeking jobs to employers who are seeking workers. However, there is often a missing ingredient to a successful match: the mobility of potential employees to get to employment and training sites.

In 2007, Workforce Solutions and Waco Transit began discussing how public transportation could connect rural communities of southeastern McLennan and Falls counties to Waco, the employment and education hub of the region.  If a solution could be found, such a service would provide daily access to jobs, training, as well as generating economic activity in the communities served.

The result was a new public transportation service—Highway 6 To Success—that has brought solutions, opportunities, and new ideas to the region.  The 6 To Success service introduced daily bus service from Waco to Marlin with service to Riesel, Chilton, Golinda, and Robinson in November 2007 after securing a Federal Transit Administration Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) grant through the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT). 

The required 50% local match contribution came from 14 committed partners (see side) and as a result of this amazing regional partnership, this service has provided more than 40,000 passenger trips to residents of the Heart of Texas who had the will, but needed a way.

EXCITING CHANGES IN 2010

In 2010, 6 To Success reached new heights with increasing ridership, reduced fares, and the introduction of the region’s first late-evening service, and the use of the IRS commuter benefit.

RECORD BREAKING NUMBER OF PASSENGERS

Ridership grew throughout 2010 with a total of 15,270 passengers. More than 1,800 passenger trips were provided in September alone, a record breaking month.

 

 

 

FARE REDUCTION

Residents of Marlin, Chilton, Riesel, Golinda, Robinson, and Waco are now enjoying $40 monthly passes and $3 day passes, a significant savings from the previous fares of $70 and $5.

LATE-EVENING SERVICE

Employees of Sanderson Farms listed transportation as the primary reason for leaving their jobs.

Absenteeism and turnover were ongoing problems. Providing late-evening service was a solution for employees, many of whom walked, used taxis, or tried to hitch rides. On June 1st, 6 To Success became the first late-evening service in the region. Now employees on the second shift who sometimes get off work after 2:00 a.m. have a reliable ride home.

IRS COMMUTER BENEFIT

In September, Sanderson Farms became the first employer in the region to take advantage of the Federal law allowing employers to reduce the cost of commuting via public transportation for employees. By offering the IRS commuter benefit, employees save federal withholding and FICA payroll taxes on the amount deducted and the employer saves paying FICA on the amount deducted. Employees enjoy both the convenience of receiving their monthly bus pass at work and the guarantee that they have reliable transportation to and from work each day. Sanderson Farms is already benefiting from a decrease in absenteeism.

For more on Employer Transit Benefits, click here

TXDOT FUNDS SERVICE FOR 3 MORE YEARS

Workforce Solutions was awarded a second JARC grant from TXDOT, which funds this service through 2013.

NEW NAME, SAME GREAT SERVICE

Saving the best for last, Workforce Solutions is proud to announce that 6 To Success is now LINK. Look for more exciting changes coming soon!