Are you contemplating starting a shuttle network at your location, but not sure where to begin? You’ve come to the right place!  

TransAction’s industry-leading experts shared their knowledge and experience to prepare this guide so you can get your shuttle program rolling. 

Why a shuttle network?

It’s a great tool for recruitment.

Whether you’re a property owner trying to attract tenants or an employer looking for talent, having a shuttle expands your options by improving access to your location. A shuttle network is a valued amenity that helps you stand out from your competition.  As an added bonus, wrapping the shuttle with your branding can double as an advertising opportunity.

It increases productivity.

Shuttle riders can check emails, review their calendar, prepare for the day, finish up work, take a nap, or catch-up on social media. Driving less also means less stress, which can contribute to a healthier lifestyle and can reduce absenteeism at work. 

It affirms your commitment to sustainability.

Employees want to work for employers that care about the environment, and consumers want to engage with companies that they can feel good about. Reducing your carbon footprint improves air quality and taking cars off of the road cuts down on traffic congestion -- both of which make you a good neighbor in your community. Read more about sustainability efforts in a previous blog post by clicking here. 

Types of Shuttles 

Understanding the need allows you to plan the right kind of shuttle program to establish connections. Shuttles typically operate either on a fixed route with set stops on a pre-determined schedule, or on-demand where passengers can make a request for a pick-up. They can also be a hybrid of both, and software is used to allow for flexibility on the route. 

Here are a few key questions to ask as you consider if a shuttle would benefit your organization: 

Do people need to get to the site from one or more transit hubs?

This type of shuttle often completes the “last mile” of the journey from a transit station to your site, making it accessible to commuters who either don’t drive or prefer transit. 

Do people need to go between multiple buildings or campuses in different locations?

These shuttles can eliminate the need to drive for employees who have to travel for meetings or work at different company locations. This option can result in cost savings when you add up what is being spent on reimbursed mileage and lost productivity on time spent driving or sitting in traffic. 

Is parking limited at your location? 

A shuttle from an off-site parking lot can help mitigate the impact of limited parking. The off-site parking can be close to the worksite with a shuttle connection on short loops or further away in an area where you have a concentration of potential riders. 

Assessing Interest 

Collecting a list of all employee zip codes and preparing a map can identify key locations where there is density to target for shuttle services. It can also pinpoint where connections to transit would make sense.

Conducting a survey helps to get a sense of the level of interest in shuttles. It’s important to be as specific as possible with the survey questions so that respondents can answer accurately. Remember that surveys are asking people about something they plan to do in the future. They are good for gauging overall interest and potential for usage. 

Moving Forward 

Safety is a primary concern when operating a shuttle service, which is why it’s a job generally outsourced to qualified professional shuttle operators.  There are a few different ways to identify a vendor who can provide your service. 

Request for Information (RFI) –

Sending out an RFI is a good way to quickly vet some vendors that you have identified to see if they could provide your service. Be sure to ask for references so you can talk to current clients and find out about: the types of vehicles they have, the age of their fleet, their safety record, how long it takes to start up a project, how drivers are vetted and trained, and how much liability insurance they carry. 

Request for Proposal (RFP) –

An RFP is more formal than an RFI and is a request for details and pricing on a specific service. In addition to including the RFI criteria, in an RFP you can ask about the duration and details of a contract, the kind of data you will be able to get on ridership and performance, and the ability to scale up or down as needed. 

Join a Partnership –

Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) exist in many areas and can offer an opportunity to partner with others to share expenses on a shuttle. Check to see if there are any TMAs operating in your region. 

Taking into consideration the length of the trip and the frequency of service for your shuttle will help you to determine the route and schedule, as well as the size of the vehicle needed. Once you establish a shuttle, the goal is to make it an attractive option for riders so don’t discount the importance of comfort and conveniences such as on-board WIFI.

Still have questions about how to get a shuttle network started at your location? Contact Denis Olsen at TransAction Corporate Shuttles at dolsen@tcshuttles.com to learn more about how this valuable amenity can benefit your organization.