Studies show that, on average, existing transit systems are able to reach only about half of the entry-levels jobs. The fact is that people cannot get jobs if they cannot get to work. It's in our interest to help people get to where there are job opportunities. Additionally, many entry level jobs involve night or weekend shifts when transit services are limited or non-existent. Over the last year and a half , I have worked closely with the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority to push for an expansion of public transportation to bring people who are ready and willing to work to job sites.
Transportation is a necessary component of any welfare to work program.
This will ensure that parents in Greater Lawrence and Haverhill can commute to work, knowing that their children can safely commute to day care and after school programs. Many women with children who are seeking to leave the welfare rolls often face complex arrangements in getting their children to and from child care facilities. We are very pleased that these additional resources have been made available to assist us in accomplishing this goal. The application for the federal grant under the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program was prepared by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.