Arrive Rochester arrives

Lizzy Haywood said People’s Food Co-op was already looking for ways to help its employees get to work when the idea of Arrive Rochester came knocking.

The co-op’s CEO said the business lost access to a rented parking lot for employees, which sent it searching for options to help its employees get to work.

That’s what Arrive Rochester does as a newly launched Transportation Management Association, so Haywood said the co-op was quick to join.

"Our goal in supporting the TMA is really to become a great employer," she said.

In addition to offering transit discounts, helping create carpools and offering incentives, Haywood said she expects Arrive Rochester to help connect existing employees with commuting options, and to attract new workers who may have worried about getting to a downtown job.

This morning, she said she was excited about the launch of Arrive Rochester, which was held at the co-op.

The launch comes after nearly two years of study of the transit system. That study included evaluating opportunities to meet future parking and transit needs.

Among the goals identified in that study: finding ways to reduce the percentage of cars heading downtown with a single occupant. While numbers are expected to continue to grow, the objective is to reduce the overall percentage of commuters driving alone.

Rochester City Administrator Steve Rymer said much of the focus has been on new infrastructure and transit plans while the Arrive Rochester launch was being prepared in the background, but that doesn’t diminish its importance.

"This is a critical piece," he said, noting it will serve as a key part of future transportation efforts.

Adam Arnold, the Arrive Rochester program manager, has been enlisted through UrbanTrans , a transportation planning firm, to oversee the first year of the project. He said the goal is to open people’s eyes to the benefits of transit even before future advancements are in place.

"You build your market before it comes online," he said, noting it allows commuters time to get comfortable as changes are made and it helps demonstrate the need for growing the system.

At this stage, he said, getting employers on board is key, which was the goal of the launch event.

At no cost, employers can sign up with Arrive Rochester , which will give them ways to track employees’ commuter needs and offer opportunities to address concerns.

"It’s about providing tools, support and encouragement," Arnold said, noting it’s critical to make people aware of the options that exist.

This initiative has been shaped by more than a year’s work by the Arrive Rochester advisory committee, a voluntary group of representatives from the city, Destination Medical Center, local businesses and other transportation stakeholders.

Arrive Rochester was launched this morning. Here are a few things to know about the Transportation Management Association:

1. There is no cost to participate

At least for now, the program comes at no cost to employers or commuters.

Arrive Rochester is currently funded through the City of Rochester using Destination Medical Center funding as part of the 2019 Capital Improvement Program.

2. Ride match seeks to make connections.

While most of Arrive Rochester's programs require employer involvement, Program Manager Adam Arnold said the service to create carpools could pull in other participants to reduce the number of cars headed downtown daily. 

Other Arrive Rochester programs include discounted transit passes for employees and a Guaranteed-Ride-Home program.

3. Employers can create their own incentives. 

Arrive Rochester will offer incentives and raffles for commuters selecting green options, but it also allows employers the chance to track employees' transit or bike use to offer other incentives, 

Arnold said the program is designed to let members determine how it best fits their goals and needs

4. Commuter change is sought.

With plans to increase the downtown workforce by 35,000 or more employees while also boosting annual visits to by at least 4 million, Destination Medical Center plans call for a substantial shift in transportation patterns.

While it doesn’t call for fewer personal vehicles driving to downtown on a daily basis, the plan does show a need to ensure a higher percentage of future commuters are willing and able to use public transit or other means to get to and from work.

With 71 percent — 25,000 — commuters driving alone into downtown daily, the goal is to reduce the percentage to 43 percent of the commuters in 2035, which would mean only 26,800 driving cars alone.

5. President's visit shows willingness.

Nick Lemmer, the marketing and outreach coordinator for Rochester Public Transit and Parking, said the recent Rochester visit by President Trump demonstrated a willingness to shift to other transportation options. 

Faced with downtown parking challenges an increased number of drivers chose to use the city's park-and-ride lots that day. 

"There are people out there who are willing to give transit a try," he said. "They just need a good reason." 

6. Seven employers are already on board.

According to the Arrive Rochester website, members prior to the launch are the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, University of Minnesota Rochester, Aspen Suites, HGA, Titan Development and People’s Food Co-op.