March_2022 - 25

One of the biggest community
concerns with the status quo was
safety. The existing route to and
from transit was not pedestrian
friendly. Employees would have
to trek through busy cross-streets
half a mile to and from the transit
stops to their workplace. Others
cited concerns around limited
transit availability after hours or
during shift changes.
" Finding solutions that work
in Bedford Park will help inform
the county's work in other industrial
corridors, " said Jennifer
" Sis " Killen, superintendent of
the Cook County Department of
Transportation and Highways.
" We can implement this model in
other communities with similar
transportation challenges both locally
and across the country. Providing
more equitable access and
better transportation options are
both core objectives for the county
and this important program is
critical to that mission. "
Hearing this feedback, Bedford
Park wanted to find a way
to take advantage of the area's
existing transit
infrastructure,
generate demand for transit and
close gaps where there was limited
transit frequency or hours when
transit was not running.
The project required coordination
from multiple stakeholders,
including Bedford Park, Cook
County Department of Transportation
and Highways, Regional
Transportation Authority
(RTA), Chicago Transit Authority
(CTA), Metra and Pace. The
one-year pilot, which started in
December 2020, was intended to
create an equitable and integrated
transportation network. Collaboration
was key.
Partnering with Uber
To do this, Bedford Park partnered
with Uber to provide last-mile connections
to transit and late-night
service as part of its multi-modal
Connect2Work program.
Eligible program participants
are Bedford Park employees. Employees
become eligible by enrolling
in the Connect2Work program
and were offered discounted Uber
rides to transit locations from 6:00
a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and
late-night service from 9:00 p.m.
to 6:00 a.m.
The Connect2Work program
covers 50 percent of a ride, up to
$7. For example, if the fare is $5, a
rider would only pay $2.50. If the
fare is $10, the rider only pays $5.
If the fare is $21, the rider will pay
$14. Bedford Park employees are
eligible for two discounted rides
per weekday.
In addition, Connect2Work
also provided a free shuttle service
on weekdays during peak times/
rush hour and a Mobility-as-a-Service
journey planning app through
other technology providers.
At the launch of the program,
Bedford Park partnered with the
Uber Transit marketing team to
raise awareness and educate Bedford
Park employees on this new
benefit. Marketing support included
a launch email, re-engagement
communication, performance
marketing and educational materials
that they shared through
employer events. The village saw
10 percent increases in ridership
after each marketing touchpoint.
Overall, since the launch of the
program, rider adoption has increased
with riders taking firstmile
connections into transit at
least three times a week and weekend
service has been added to help
third shift workers.
Summit
Station
Home
Chef
" We can implement this
model in other communities
with similar transportation
challenges both locally and
across the country. "
-JENNIFER KILLEN,
superintendent, Cook County
Department of Transportation
and Highways
" Connect2Work represents innovation
that increases access to
opportunity and for us is a chance
to develop strategies we can help
support across the region, " said
Leanne Redden, executive director,
RTA. " Now more than ever, it
is essential that we collaborate with
public and private partners to build
momentum towards implementing
effective, scalable and sustainable
last mile mobility solutions. "
Midway CTA
Station
Antero Group
MARKETING
PLAYED a
significant
role in the
success of the
Connect2Work
program. Each
marketing touch
saw a 10 percent
increase in
ridership for the
program.
Midway
Hotel Center
Ford City
Mall
Bridgeview
Transit Center
Cintas
Antero Group
A DIAGRAM
showing
the service
area of the
Connect2Work
program in
the village of
Bedford Park, Ill.
MARCH 2022 | MassTransitmag.com | Mass Transit | 25
http://www.MassTransitmag.com
March_2022

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