Work transportation open house set for Nov. 8th
The City of Columbus will hold a public open house for people who are interested in low-cost, reliable transportation to work through the Citys recently announced vanpool program. The program is for people who are currently employed or seeking employment.
Activities will include a short presentation that repeats several times. Vanpool coordinators and City employees will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Light refreshments will be available, and there will be coloring books for kids in attendance.
Transportation to local workplaces is being offered by the City, which is working with the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) to provide these services. Employees are eligible to participate in the program if they live in Columbus and work in Columbus or Bartholomew County; or if they live in any Indiana County and work in Columbus.
Organizers explain that a vanpool is similar to a carpool, can be organized for 5-15 riders on the same shift commuting to and from the same area. The van rental fees are shared by the City and employers or other sponsors. These fees include insurance, maintenance, and 24-hour customer support. The only expense to the riders is the cost of gas.
Each vanpool must have at least one volunteer driver and one back-up driver. Non-drivers are welcome to participate in this program. An ADA-accessible van will be provided if needed to accommodate a member of the vanpool with a disability.
The citys vanpool program was developed by a committee in response to a need for transportation to workplaces that were not located on existing ColumBUS Transit routes. The citys share of the van fees will be reimbursed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). A monthly fee to CIRTA for managing the program will be paid by the city with local funds.
The open house will be on Thursday, November 8 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Cal Brand Meeting Hall at Columbus City Hall. People who are interested in attending may come any time during the hours of the event.
For more information, visit columbus.in.gov/planning/commuter-connect.