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Wisconsin Works (W-2)

Transportation

Reliable, affordable and convenient transportation is critical to participant self-sufficiency and the overall success of W-2.

W-2 agencies, along with their Job Center partners, work with job seekers and employers to assist access to transportation, reimburse for transportation costs; or provide transportation assistance for participants.

While Wisconsin has an extensive array of local public transit services, many W-2 participants live in rural areas or are looking for work in outlying suburban areas not served by public transit. Many do not own automobiles and are dependent on other transportation options, such as public bus transit, shared-ride taxi, car pools, van services or other group trips. Many jobs, including second and third shift, weekend, split-shift jobs, and suburban jobs, are not now served by public transit services.

W-2 agencies are using innovative methods to meet participant transportation needs such as arranging van pools, setting up volunteer driver programs, accessing loan resources for personal vehicle purchase and repair, encouraging employer-based transportation programs, expanding transit hours and service areas and hiring transportation coordinators.

Employment Transportation Assistance

Funds are available for Employment Transportation Assistance to expand Job Ride, reverse commute services in Milwaukee and provide transportation support in other parts of the state. These funds can be used in support of such local employment transportation program options as:

• Transit service expansion, including route extensions, increased evening and weekend service hours, feeder-shuttle service, evening shared-ride taxi service.
• New transit service, including creation of express service, reverse commute van service, shuttle service or other services to specific job sites, or purchased service.
• Employer initiatives, including the creation of employer-sponsored Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), van service, car pool, shuttle service or other employer-sponsored transportation.
• Volunteer driver programs.
• Improved coordination, clearinghouse and central dispatch among existing employment transportation, social service, specialized transportation, and public and private providers.

Personal Transportation Solutions and Local Initiatives

Other transportation initiatives include technical and financial support to assist in personal transportation solutions.

• Developing a "buyer’s plan" with local car dealers.
• Creating a vehicle repair program through local high schools and technical colleges.
• Developing workshops for W-2 participants on how to purchase used cars, maintenance training, loans, automobile insurance and vehicle inspections; assisting participants in locating driver’s education classes and driver’s licensing processes.
• Sponsoring a community "free bike" program.
• Developing a volunteer driver program.
• Using Job Access Loans for car repairs and car loans.
• Developing emergency response agreements with local or state automobile service organizations.

DES-10987-P (R. 05/99)