Foursquare ITP developed a Commuter Assistance Program Strategic Plan for GWRideConnect, providing a clear strategy and operations plan to guide the transportation demand management (TDM) program for the next six years. Coming out of the pandemic, GWRideConnect needed to reflect on their service offerings and performance to set themselves up for success. This timely planning process aligned with the requirement of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) for each TDM agency in the commonwealth to submit a Commuter Assistance Program Strategic Plan for approval and support of funding requests.
Foursquare ITP leveraged its planning, analysis, and mapping capabilities to provide GWRideConnect with a comprehensive understanding of its current market and how its customers were using its services and what they were looking for. We then applied our TDM expertise to develop recommendations to build on the agency’s past success. These included expansion of their commuter assistance and vanpool programs, better leveraging of innovative tools and systems, and enhanced marking, outreach, and education.
The George Washington Regional Commission Board, and subsequently DRPT, approved the Commuter Assistance Program Strategic Plan, including recommendations for new programs and additional budget. Subsequent to plan adoption, Foursquare ITP also assisted GWRideConnect with turning the monitoring and evaluation component of the plan into a more streamlined data collection and visualization process.
Solutions and Outcomes
- Developed a technology and partnership-forward operations plan to enhance the existing commuter assistance and vanpool programs.
- Created new and enhanced methods for data collection and research.
- Enhanced marketing, outreach, and education plans and new lines of service.
- Identified a balanced financial plan that leverages new funding sources.