Community Issues

• 66% of individuals who are homeless or at-risk of being homeless do not own a car, and 63% rely on the bus as their primary form of transportation. Key concerns of the public transportation system pertain to Valley Transit operating hours not supporting individuals working 2nd or 3rd shifts, and inaccessibility to the Valley Transit services if an employer is not located on the bus route. - Based on results of a 2006 study conducted by local nonprofits.
• Growth of urban and rural areas of the Fox Cities is resulting in limited access to public transportation services.
• Along with community growth, there is a growing segment of the population in our community considered the working poor, as employment shifts to the service sector. 
        – 2006 LIFE Study

Project Description

United Way Fox Cities' Providing Basic Needs & Self-Sufficiency Impact Area completed a two-year study on a variety of issues affecting individuals and families in the Fox Cities.  As a result, the impact area identified the importance of ensuring that individuals have reliable transportation resources which will contribute to their ability to be self-sufficient and have their basic needs met. 

The Connector, a Fox Cities Regional Transportation Initiative developed in partnership with Valley Transit, addresses the needs of individuals with lower incomes relying on public transportation for employment purposes. The expanded geographic areas and operating hours are provided through a contracted service arrangement between Valley Transit and a local transportation provider.

The service area consists of key transfer points to cover the central, northern, southern, eastern and western areas of the Fox Cities. The second component of The Connector provides late evening (10 P.M. to midnight) and early morning (4 A.M. to 6 A.M.) service to better serve second and third shift workers.

Results to Date

• Launched in October 2007, over 17,000 rides have been provided to almost 700 individuals in the Fox Cities. 
• Approximately 90% of the rides have been employment-related in supporting individuals with overcoming transportation barriers. 
• Based on responses from 87 individuals being helped by partnering agencies, 
  • 84% of individuals relying on public transportation were able to apply for more jobs in outlying areas of the Fox Cities.
  • 82% of the agencies' clients were able to apply for more jobs that were 2nd and 3rd shifts.
  • 75% of the agencies' clients were successful in obtaining a job.

Testimonials

Tom - “Without The Connector I would not be able to have my new job. It is a job I enjoy.”

John - "I can take that 2nd shift job now that I heard about the Connector.   That means I can start today!"

Sarah - "I first used The Connector to get to my 2nd shift job in Neenah.  It was helpful because the bus couldn't get me back to the shelter after 10:00 at night so I used it for a while and I was making about $8.00/hour through a temporary agency.  Now I work full-time 1st shift for a company in Appleton making $9.00/hr.  Without The Connector I wouldn't have been able to work at this new job.”