Young talent fuels a city’s growth, and few groups offer more of it than recent college graduates. As a soon-to-be-graduate myself, I’ve thought a lot about what I’m looking for in a city, but I never stopped to think about what a city could do to attract me. Then, a recent conversation with my economics professor prompted me to look at things from a new perspective.
Job opportunities, low rent and low crime rates were among the first attractions that came to mind. These are undoubtedly important considerations for any new graduate looking for a city to settle in, but they are not things the city can make immediate and direct impacts on. At least not in the same way a city can with its transit system.
Bus passes might not seem like a big incentive by themselves, but as someone who never had a car during my five years of college, I can tell you the incidental savings add up quickly. A person can save an average of up to $175 per month on gas by taking the bus, and another $100-200 per month on parking fees. Then there’s the benefit of not having a car note or insurance payment if you choose not to have a car. And that’s not even getting into the potential savings on things such as rideshare apps and the $88 or $120 savings from the bus pass itself.
What’s the best part about all of these savings? That money will be spent on other things in Greater Cincinnati, so the money is reinvested in the people and businesses here.
Cincinnati’s bus system was my choice for transportation to get to many off-campus events during my time at UC: the annual Cincinnati Music Festival, the WEBN Fireworks and Riverfest on Labor Day, Oktoberfest in the fall, and Bengals, Reds and Cyclones games. We have so many great events in this city, and I really think that a discount transit program would draw in new, young talent to Cincinnati and get them out to these events and more.
How do I imagine this transportation incentive program working? There are a couple of approaches Cincinnati could implement.
First, there’s Boston’s method of directly offering young workers, students and recent college graduates a renewable one-year discounted Massachussetts Bay Transporation Authority card. This card is designed to help get these young, talented individuals to and from work, classes, interviews or just around Boston in general. Boston officials offer this as an incentive to choose their city over other major metropolitan areas such as neighboring New York.
The second approach could mirror Seattle’s ORCA business passport. ORCA is Seattle’s transit agency not just for buses, but for ferries and multiple railway systems. The ORCA passport is a highly flexible program subsidized by the city that allows companies that buy at least five passes to get them at a discounted rate.
With a Boston-style incentive program, Cincinnati would be directly reaching out to recent college graduates and offering a short-term benefit to move to and settle down in the city. A Seattle-like approach, on the other hand, would allow Cincinnati businesses to obtain discounted bulk orders of Metro passes, which they could turn around and market as a competitive employment incentive.
This strategy would not only help attract and retain young talent, but also benefit existing employees. Either strategy could encourage growth of the young, talented workforce that Cincinnati is hungry for.
John Schriner is a fifth-year student at the University of Cincinnati who lives in Clifton Heights.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: A bus pass could be Cincinnati’s best recruiting tool | Opinion
Reporting by John Schriner, Opinion contributor / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By John Schriner, Opinion contributor | USA TODAY Network
