The following project involving Goodwill and African American Leadership Program (AALP) participants is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The project does not constitute professional advice or create a professional-client relationship. The project is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified transportation specialist or other qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding transportation solutions for employees. Furthermore, the solutions proposed by the project team may not be suitable for all circumstances or situations. The project team makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the solutions proposed or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the project for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such solutions or information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will the project team be liable for any loss or damage, including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this project. Finally, Goodwill and AALP program participants acknowledge that their participation in this project does not create an obligation on the part of the project team to implement any of the proposed solutions. The project team reserves the right to modify or reject any proposed solutions at their discretion.

For many, transportation is a major roadblock to achieving their full potential, limiting access to job opportunities, education, healthcare, and other essential services. Solutions to transportation challenges, can open a world of possibilities and empower individuals to create brighter futures.

PROJECT ROADMAP

The Project Roadmap provides an overview of the key phases and milestones of the transportation project. It outlines the timeline and key activities undertaken by the team and provides an overview of the recommendations and solutions developed for Goodwill.

PROJECT CHALLENGE

Millions of hardworking individuals in our communities' struggle to make ends meet due to the lack of reliable transportation. According to a report by the American Public Transportation Association, nearly 87% of people who take public transportation in the United States do so to get to work. Unfortunately, many low-income individuals, who already face significant economic challenges, are left stranded due to unreliable transportation options. This leads to missed job opportunities, lost income, and a reduced quality of life for them and their families.

The issue of unreliable transportation also disproportionately affects minority communities. A report by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that African Americans and Latinos are more likely to rely on public transportation as their primary mode of transportation. These communities often face longer commute times, and they are more likely to experience delays and service interruptions, leading to missed job opportunities and reduced economic mobility.

Goodwill aims to identify transportation access gaps within its 7-county territory (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake County, Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha) and develop solutions that provide access to reliable transportation for all, regardless of where they live, their income level, or their race. These efforts will aid in planning for new growth areas in a strategic manner, removing transportation barriers, and ultimately improving the recruitment, retention, and advancement of Black and Brown talent.

ABOUT US

We are a group of aspiring community leaders from Milwaukee's African American Leadership Program (AALP), brought together by our shared passion for creating positive change in our community

As part of our program, we are working on a transportation project in collaboration with Goodwill, aimed at finding innovative solutions to improve transportation access for employees. Our team members come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range of skills and experiences to the project. We share a commitment to equity, inclusion, and

social justice and are united by a common goal of making a difference in the lives of others. Through this project, we have gained valuable experience in teamwork, problem-solving, and community-building, and have learned firsthand the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving our goals.

Collaborating has been a transformative experience, one that has not only improved our problem-solving skills but has also enriched our understanding of the challenges faced by those in need of transportation.

PROJECT FINDINGS

This study highlights the impact of transportation on Goodwill employees and their ability to succeed. Transportation-related barriers perpetuate inequality and hinder socioeconomic progress. The Brookings Institution found that lack of reliable transportation limits job prospects and contributes to the cycle of poverty (Brookings Institution, 2019).

The working poor spend a smaller portion of their income on commuting expenses compared to other workers. However, due to their limited income, these costs constitute a larger proportion of their earnings, placing a greater burden on them.

Among the working poor, those who drive their own vehicles face even more financial strain. They spend a higher percentage of their income on commuting compared to those who rely on public transit. This indicates that private vehicle ownership costs, including fuel, maintenance, and insurance, significantly impact the limited financial resources of low-income workers.

Low-income workers often choose more affordable transportation options like public transit, carpooling, biking, and walking. This demonstrates their resourcefulness but also highlights the limited availability of reliable public transit infrastructure and potential challenges with access and connectivity.

These findings emphasize the importance of considering multimodal access when locating companies in areas with diverse and accessible workforce pools, particularly when employing low- to moderate-wage workers. By providing multimodal transportation options, companies can alleviate financial burdens and potentially reduce turnover rates. Offering transportation support can be a cost-effective measure for companies, as the expenses associated with turnover and rehiring often outweigh the investment required for transportation assistance.

Nearly 1 in 5 quit in their first week

23% of workers quit a job because of bad commute

Project Solutions

Next Steps

REFERENCES

• 2019 Annual Report - Brookings. Accessed June 1, 2023. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-annual-report.pdf.
• Audrey Wennink. “Companies That Want a Diverse Workforce Should Pay Attention to Public Transit.” Greenbiz. Accessed June 1, 2023. https://www.greenbiz.com/article/companies-want-diverse-workforce-should-pay-attention-public-transit.
  
• Alireza Ermagun, D. Dai, A. El-Geneidy, Y. Fan, et al. “Equity of Transit Accessibility across Chicago.” Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, July 13, 2020. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1361920920306489.
  
• Luyu Liu, R.A. Cooper, A. Ermagun, M. Gendreau, et al. “Disparities in Public Transit Accessibility and Usage by People with Mobility Disabilities: An Evaluation Using High-Resolution Transit Data.” Journal of Transport Geography, April 21, 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0966692323000613.
  
• Bullard, Robert Doyle, Glenn Steve Johnson, and Angel O. Torres. Highway robbery: Transportation racism and new routes to equity. Cambridge, MA: South End, 2004.
  

Contact us to learn more

Breaking Barriers

Promoting Employment Equity Through Transportation

AALP Cohort 13

Goodwill SE Wisconsin and Greater Chicago

2023