How the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program Helps With Transportation

What the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program Does

The Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program was a federal funding source that helped pay for transportation to work and job training for people with low incomes and people with disabilities. The program provided money to states and local transit agencies to run or expand bus routes, vanpool services, shuttle services, and other transit options that connected workers to jobs, job training centers, and childcare facilities.

JARC ended in 2012 when Congress consolidated it into a larger transportation funding program called the Urbanized Area Formula Grants program. However, many of the transportation services that JARC funded continue to operate today under different names and funding sources. Understanding what JARC was and how it worked can help you find similar services in your area.

Key Takeaways

• JARC was a federal program that funded transportation services for workers with low incomes and people with disabilities, but it ended in 2012.
• Many transportation services that JARC once funded still exist today, run by local transit agencies and nonprofits using different funding sources.
• To find current transportation services in your area, contact your local public transit agency or call 211 for a referral to commute information programs.
• Reverse commute services run buses and vans during off-peak hours to serve workers traveling to jobs outside downtown areas or during evening and night shifts.
• Some areas still use the name JARC for their programs even though federal JARC funding ended, so searching for "JARC transportation" in your city may still yield results.

How JARC Funded Transportation Services

When JARC was active, the federal government gave money to state departments of transportation and local transit agencies. These agencies used the funding to create or expand bus routes, vanpool programs, and shuttle services that specifically served workers traveling to jobs and job training programs. The program targeted people with low incomes, people with disabilities, and workers in areas where public transit did not reach.

JARC funding could pay for the vehicles themselves, the drivers, fuel, maintenance, and the administrative costs of running the service. Some programs used the money to subsidize fares so riders paid less than the regular transit fare. Others used it to run entirely new routes that would not have existed without the federal money.

What "Reverse Commute" Means

A reverse commute service runs buses or vans in the opposite direction of typical rush-hour traffic. Most public transit systems are designed to move people from residential areas into downtown business districts during morning rush hour and back out in the evening. A reverse commute service does the opposite: it moves workers from downtown or central areas out to suburban job centers, or it runs during evening and night hours when most transit systems have reduced service.

Reverse commute services exist because many jobs are not located downtown. Warehouses, manufacturing plants, hospitals, retail centers, and service businesses are spread throughout suburbs and outlying areas. Workers without cars cannot reach these jobs on regular transit routes. JARC funding helped pay for the extra buses and vans needed to serve these routes during times when regular transit does not run.

Finding Transportation Services Where JARC Funding Went

Because JARC ended in 2012, you will not find a federal JARC program to contact directly. However, the transportation services that JARC funded often continue under different names and funding sources. Your local public transit agency may still run the same routes and services, now funded through other federal programs, state money, or local taxes.

Start by contacting your local public transit agency's main customer service line. Tell them you are looking for transportation to work, job training, or childcare, especially if you have a disability or low income. They can tell you what services are available in your area and whether any programs offer reduced fares or free rides.

You can also call 211, a free referral service available in most areas. Dial 211 or visit 211.org and enter your zip code. Tell the specialist you are looking for commute information, job access transportation, or reverse commute services. They can connect you with programs in your area that may help.

Types of Services That Replaced JARC Funding

Several federal transportation programs now fund services that were previously supported by JARC. The Urbanized Area Formula Grants program, which replaced JARC, gives money to local transit agencies for general public transportation. The Section 5310 program funds transportation for seniors and people with disabilities. The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program funds transit projects that reduce traffic and pollution.

Beyond federal programs, many states and cities fund their own commute information services. Some nonprofits run vanpool programs or shuttle services with a mix of government grants and private donations. Some employers partner with transit agencies to offer subsidized bus passes or shuttle services for their workers. The specific services available depend on where you live.

How to Know if a Service Near You Uses JARC-Style Funding

You may see the name "JARC" still used by some local programs, even though federal JARC funding ended. Some transit agencies and nonprofits kept the name because it was well-known in their communities. If you search online for "JARC transportation" plus your city name, you might find local programs that still use that name.

When you contact a transit agency or nonprofit, ask them directly what funding sources support their commute information programs. They can tell you whether they receive money from federal transportation programs, state grants, local taxes, or other sources. This information does not change what the service does or how you use it, but it can help you understand whether the program is stable and likely to continue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use JARC services today?

JARC as a federal program ended in 2012, so you cannot explore for JARC funding directly. However, many of the transportation services JARC funded still operate in cities and regions across the country. Contact your local transit agency or call 211 to find commute information services in your area.

What if I live in a rural area where JARC services never existed?

Rural areas often have fewer transportation options than cities. Contact your state's department of transportation or your regional planning agency to ask about commute information programs. Some rural areas have nonprofit vanpool services or employer-sponsored shuttle programs. 211 can also help you search for transportation services in rural communities.

Do I have to pay for reverse commute services?

Fares vary by program. Some services charge the same fare as regular public transit. Others offer reduced fares for people with low incomes or disabilities. Some programs are free. When you contact a service, ask about their fare structure and whether you may be able to get a reduced or free fare based on your income or disability status.

How do I know if a transportation service is right for my job schedule?

Tell the transit agency or program coordinator your work location, your shift times, and whether you need transportation to childcare as well. They can tell you whether existing routes serve your commute or whether you might be able to use a vanpool or shuttle program. Some programs can adjust routes or add service if enough workers need it.

What if the nearest transit stop is too far from my home to walk?

Some programs offer door-to-door or curb-to-curb shuttle service instead of fixed bus stops. Others run vanpools that pick up riders from multiple locations. Ask the program whether they offer paratransit or flexible pickup options. Some areas also have programs that help pay for rides to the transit stop if you have a disability.