New Vanpool Service, SWFT begins operation in Spartanburg

As the City of Spartanburg and our partners look for new, innovative ways to ensure the workforce is prepared to take advantage of the diverse and growing array of job opportunities available countywide, we’re announcing a new vanpool service - SWFT, the SPARTA Workforce Transit.

Created in partnership with Enterprise, OneSpartanburg, Inc., the United Way of the Piedmont and SC Works of the Upstate, this new service will provide a sustainable shared vanpool option to connect those with transportation needs to economic opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.

The service is operational and has provided transportation for employees of Grace Management Group, the first employer to utilize the service, this week. Funded by City public transit dollars with subsidies from partnering organizations, each employer SWFT program is customized to the specific needs of its five or more vanpoolers. The remaining cost is split among participants, with each vanpool rider paying a set fee per month.

Participants in the SWFT program choose a qualifying vanpool vehicle from Enterprise’s selection of makes and models that includes crossovers, SUVs, minivans and large passenger vans. Vanpoolers may choose to upgrade their vehicles with optional high-end features such as satellite radio, in-vehicle Wi-Fi service and power ports for individual seats.

While Grace Management’s employees are the first to take advantage of this new commuting option, organizations partnering on the program hope to encourage more of Spartanburg County’s major employers to add SWFT vanpool service as an option for their employees in the coming months.

Quotes:

“As Spartanburg’s economy continues its impressive, sustained growth, it’s more important than ever to ensure that we remove transportation concerns as a barrier for folks in our city who can benefit greatly from the employment opportunities available in the broader Spartanburg community. The SWFT program is an important tool in addressing those concerns.” – Chris Story, Spartanburg City Manager

“The SWFT program is yet another positive outcome driven by the collaborative nature of Spartanburg. I’m excited about the impact this program will have on workers in Spartanburg and grateful for the community partners that came together to make it happen.” – Katherine O’Neill, OneSpartanburg, Inc. Chief Economic Development Officer

“United Way of the Piedmont has a bold goal to decrease the number of people living below self-sufficiency in our community. An important strategy to achieve this goal is eliminating barriers to job training and employment opportunities, like transportation. SWFT will not only help businesses recruit and retain talent, but it will help families increase their opportunities for economic mobility and self-sufficiency.” – Hannah Jarrett, Director of Economic Mobility Strategy, United Way of the Piedmont