The transit industry is facing a significant challenge in attracting and retaining workers. According to the American Public Transportation Association, 96 percent of transit agencies are experiencing a workforce shortage, 84 percent of which said the shortage affects their ability to provide service. To overcome the challenge, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) has partnered with TOOTRiS, a childcare platform. The partnership will provide childcare benefits to Houston Metro employees, allowing them to access affordable and high-quality childcare services.
Under the partnership, Houston Metro employees will have premium access and assistance on the TOOTRiS platform, helping them to quickly search, vet and enroll their children with providers. As part of the program, parents will have access to nearly 200,000 state-licensed childcare programs with 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, Houston Metro employees will also receive $200 per month in financial assistance toward childcare expenses. The partnership and financial support are part of Houston Metro's ongoing efforts to support its employees and promote work-life balance.
USA Today reports 75 percent of working parents are struggling to access and afford childcare, with the U.S. News & World Report noting the cost of childcare in Texas now averages $9,147/per year/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. “Houston 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.”
