|
WRTA offers innovative service to Shoppes at Blackstone Valley
MILLBURY _ At a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on
Friday, Oct. 17, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) announced it
has received a Federal Transit Administration Grant, the Job Access Reverse
Commute, and has used this to institute a much requested new express route
service from downtown Worcester to The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury.
The service (Bus Route 20), which went into effect on Oct. 4, runs
seven-days-a-week from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and weekends from
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. The service runs on the hour from Worcester and on the half
hour from The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley. Fare cost is $1.50 each way.
The purpose of the Job Access Reverse
Commute Grant is to provide funding for local programs that offer job access and
reverse commute services to provide transportation for those individuals who
live in the city and work in suburban locations. The Shoppes at Blackstone
Valley host over 50 retail stores and restaurants and currently offers over 500
seasonal jobs. The job openings create a potential to stimulate increased
employment opportunities for people from the City of Worcester.
“This is the first time in a while there has
been an increase in service in Worcester. This will bring people from Worcester
to job opportunities, said WRTA Administrator Stephen O’Neil. “It is gratifying
to see that this effort goes beyond transportation and has a direct correlation
to economic development.”
“The
new WRTA bus route between Worcester and the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley is an
enhancement to our workforce development efforts to link City
residents with jobs that are accessible by public transportation. This route
will enable Worcester residents to seek and secure employment opportunities
available at the Shoppes who may otherwise be unable to fill those positions due
to lack of transportation. Further, in these challenging economic times, we
must implement energy efficiency measures and promote public transit as a
mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to strengthen economic and
workforce development,” said Julie Jacobson, Worcester assistant city manager.
“When you look at this shopping center and
see all the stores, you can also see the wealth of employment opportunities. The
key is getting people here for job opportunities and this new initiative through
the WRTA provides greater potential. We have approximately 1,500 full time jobs,
and it is estimated that there will be an additional 500 seasonal jobs that will
be added,” said David Fleming, corporate marketing director for WS Development
(for The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley). “This is a nice story, in that it is
connecting two communities.”
State Representative Paul Frost, who
represents Millbury, noted this type of service was a longtime in coming, but a
very welcomed one.
“This federal grant is making it possible
for communities to be equal partners,” Frost said. “This is a different trend
we’re seeing, where suburban communities are being utilized by the city in a
real partnership. This promotes economic development, commerce and jobs, and I
thank the WRTA for promoting this region of the state.”
O’Neil noted that this type of collaboration
could not be possible without the work of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of
Commerce, which has assisted in job placement activities.
“We’ve partnered with Worcester on many
projects, and I’m thrilled we’re a part of this,” said Jeannie Hebert, president
and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. “This is a great time for
this to be happening.”
Additionally, along with offering
transportation to jobs, this service enables Worcester riders to have access to
all the shops and restaurants that The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley offers.
“This is a wonderful service,” said Mary
Zogas, of Worcester (who rode Bus Route 20 to The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley).
“This was a nice quick trip here. I’m going to use this a lot. My daughter lives
in Millbury and she thinks this is great too.”
“We appreciate this so much,” added Joanna
Thoutsis, of Worcester (who accompanied Zogas). “With gas prices the way they
are, we take the bus everywhere.”
O’Neil said the WS Development Company will
purchase a bus shelter for the route at The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, and
during the holiday season, the management company will offer shuttle service to
get patrons to each store in the complex.
“This is a win-win for everyone,” O’Neil
said. “Not only will this service to The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley be a
valuable resource for access to jobs, it will also help to generate economic
vitality in the Blackstone area.”
Photo at Top:
From left State Representative Paul Frost, David Fleming, corporate marketing
director for WS Development, Jeannie Hebert, president and CEO of the Blackstone
Valley Chamber of Commerce and WRTA Administrator Stephen O’Neil.
Photo Middle:
New riders on the the Express Route Service to The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley
are from left: Mary Zogas of Worcester and Joanna Thoutsis of Worcester.
|
