TOOTRiS and Metropolitan Transit Authority team up to help working parents find Child Care
TOOTRiS Child Care On-Demand and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) partner to support employees with Child Care
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, June 1, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — The transit industry is facing a significant challenge in attracting and retaining workers. According to data just released by the American Public Transportation Association, 96% of transit agencies are experiencing a workforce shortage, 84% of which said the shortage affects their ability to provide service. To overcome the challenge, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) has announced a new partnership with TOOTRiS, the nation’s largest Child Care platform. This partnership will provide Child Care Benefits to METRO’s employees, allowing them to access affordable and high-quality Child Care services.
Under the partnership, METRO employees will have premium access and assistance on the TOOTRiS platform, enabling them to quickly search, vet, and enroll their children with providers in real-time. With nearly 200,000 state-licensed Child Care programs on its nationwide network, TOOTRiS provides parents a wide range of care options including full-time, part-time care, drop-in care, after-school programs, summer camps, and care during non-standard hours – an important option for drivers with night and weekend shifts.
To help ease their financial burden, METRO employees will also receive $200 per month in financial assistance toward Child Care expenses. The partnership and financial support are part of METRO’s ongoing efforts to support its employees and promote work-life balance.
Across the country, transit agencies are struggling to hire bus operators as more and more retire. A recent American Public Transportation Association survey found that the average transit operator is nearly 53 years old, more than 10 years older than workers in other industries. At the same time, USA today reports 75% of working parents are struggling to access and afford Child Care*, with the U.S. News & World Report noting the cost of Child Care in Texas now averages $9,147/per month/child**. Offering Child Care benefits is an innovative way for METRO to attract a new generation of workers while providing a rewarding job.
“When you provide transportation to over 2,000,000 people every year, you realize how important access to reliable transit – and Child Care – is to quality of life,” said Alessandra Lezama, TOOTRiS CEO and select member of the ReadyNation CEO Task Force on Early Childhood. “METRO is an excellent example of how employers can thrive by providing a turn-key Child Care Benefit solution that allows them to attract and retain employees.”
Overall, the partnership between METRO and TOOTRiS is a positive development for the agency, its employees, and the entire Houston community. It reflects METRO’s commitment to providing its employees with the support they need to be successful and highlights the agency’s dedication to being a leader in the transportation industry.
About METRO
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is a public transportation agency serving the Houston metropolitan area. The agency operates a network of buses, light rail, and commuter rail services, providing transportation to over 2 million people every year across 1,300 square miles. Houston METRO’s mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable transportation services that enhance the quality of life for all residents of the Houston region. For more information, visit ridemetro.org.
About TOOTRiS
TOOTRiS is reinventing the Child Care industry as the first and only technology that unites all the key stakeholders – parents, providers, employers, agencies – into a single platform enabling them to connect and transact in real-time. This empowers employers to provide fully managed Child Care Benefits, giving their workforce the flexibility and family support they need, while organizations seek to increase productivity and ROI. Through TOOTRiS, parents and providers also connect directly, allowing working parents to quickly find and secure quality Child Care while allowing providers to unlock their potential and fully monetize their program.
* -USA today link- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/02/07/daycare-costs-climbing-workers-disappearing-american-economy/11197416002/
** – US News and World Report link- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2022-03-31/states-with-highest-and-lowest-cost-of-daycare
Jeff Mcadam
TOOTRiS
+1 720-988-0984
jmcadam@Tootris.com
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