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For employers pledging for equity, it's time to get on the bus - Crain's Cleveland Business

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In the wake of George Floyd's death, the nation's attention turned to long-standing economic and racial inequities. In Cleveland, our city council has declared racism a public health crisis, requiring it to take action to eliminate harmful disparities. We've seen more than 100 corporate and nonprofit leaders pledge their "individual and collective resources to set forth tangible actions to undo structural racism."

There is no silver bullet, no panacea to remedy hundreds of years of oppression that have brought us to this point, but for clear, actionable, immediate steps. As employers revisit their policies and practices in a commitment to advancing an inclusive work culture, it is time to get on board with advocating for public transit.

For many in our community, public transit is the only way to get around. First, let's recognize that the coronavirus pandemic further deepened inequities based on one's ability to work remotely and own a car. During this period of heightened concern, what we learned is that almost 40% of all transit riders in the nation are classified as essential workers. These front line heroes without capes — the grocery store clerk, health care worker or community service provider — are among those who rely on buses and the rapid to get to their jobs and back home. It is time to recognize the importance of transit in the economy as we slowly move toward the road to recovery.

Public transit serves a diverse ridership. In 2019, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) hired an outside firm LTK Engineering Services to conduct a fare analysis study. Of the 3,719 riders surveyed, approximately 75% self-identified as a person of color. The average transit rider in the country is either poor or a person of color, or both. As companies look to support inclusion in hiring practices and the workplace, improving access to public transit can have an immediate and tangible impact on the convenience for more qualified candidates to get to interviews and jobs. This is not to say that transit usage directly relates to a person's race, income or gender. Good, efficient and well-funded transit systems around the world are used by people from all walks of life.

Young professionals want better public transit. We have heard this loud and clear in Engage Cleveland's State of the Young Professional Community Report, which consistently ranks public transit as Cleveland's biggest challenge. They want affordable living options that are on bus and train lines, and they want a connected public transit system that is their main mode of getting around Cleveland and neighboring suburbs. It's not just about downtown.

Here are some best practices that you as an employer can implement now:

1. Ask your workforce about their commute, don't assume everyone drives to work. Do this now during the coronavirus pandemic, when you start to bring more people back to the office, and as an annual best practice. How long is their commute? How much do they spend on transportation each month and what percentage is this of their salary? If they don't use public transportation, what are the reasons?

2. Do you have free parking but no comparative benefits for transit riders? Sign-up for GCRTA's Commuter Advantage program. These commuter benefits provide tax savings for employers and employees, allowing the purchase of transit passes with pre-tax dollars. Better yet, also offer to subsidize their monthly pass.

3. Consider existing public transit routes when selecting sites. Choose locations that already have public transportation and have early conversations with GCRTA about bus/rail stop locations and frequency of routes before breaking ground.

4. Update HR on-boarding to include information about public transit access. If employees are moving to Cleveland for a new job, share with them which neighborhoods provide the easiest public transit routes to work. Include GCRTA monthly pass rates when sharing information on parking garage fees, to help employees make an informed choice.

5. Include a public transit advocate on employee wellness committees. Encourage this advocate to participate in GCRTA board meetings to represent your company's needs.

The future of Cleveland's growth as a vibrant and equitable community will only happen if the plan includes investment in public transit. Democracy doesn't happen when people are driving alone in cars, it happens when you are sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on a bus and talking to your neighbor. Through focused work, we can advocate for a more connected public transit system in Cleveland, and possibly even a Fare Free system where not having exact change doesn't prevent you from boarding the bus. Employers can have a large influence on shifting policies and advocating for changes that directly make public transit more affordable and convenient for your employers. We invite you to join us.

Miyoshi and Mathew wrote this on behalf of the other members of the Cleveland Summit Rising: Free Public Transit advocacy group. Miyoshi is director of development at Ursuline College, and Mather is urban and regional planner for mobility innovations at the Fund for Our Economic Future.

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For employers pledging for equity, it's time to get on the bus - Crain's Cleveland Business
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