New Employer Vanpool Pilot Addresses Transportation Barriers

One of the most common challenges employers continue to raise our InfoAction interviews related to recruiting and retaining quality talent is transportation. Whether it’s shift workers who live beyond fixed transit routes or employees without reliable vehicles, the ability to get to work consistently can be the difference between filling a position and leaving it open.

To help address this challenge, the Regional Transit Authority has partnered with Enterprise to pilot a Vanpool Program designed specifically to support employers and their workforce. The program provides shared commuter vans for groups of employees who live near one another. Enterprise supplies and manages the vehicle, including insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance, while employees share the ride and rotate driving responsibilities. The model is flexible, reliable, and designed to work around real-world schedules. 

What makes this opportunity unique is the local support behind it. The Regional Transit Authority is currently providing up to $600 per month per vanpool to help offset costs for participating employers. The goal is to make it easier for businesses to test a transportation solution that can improve attendance, expand access to jobs, and reduce turnover tied to commute challenges, offering employers a practical tool to strengthen workforce stability.

Vanpools typically serve groups of five to fifteen employees and can be especially helpful for manufacturers, healthcare providers, logistics operations, and any employer with early or late shifts.

This is a pilot effort, with support currently available for a limited number of employers in the region.

Employers interested in exploring whether a vanpool could support their team are encouraged to contact Nic Hockenberry, Director of Workforce Programming at nicolash@greaterdubuque.org or 563-557-9049 to learn more.

Download an informational flier for additional information and details.