Downtown WPB Stakeholders Announce Formation of WPB Mobility Coalition

June 22, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:                
Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
dpapadakos@wpb.org
(561)  822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

Downtown West Palm Beach Stakeholders Announce Formation of West Palm Beach Mobility Coalition

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – A group of West Palm Beach stakeholders today announced the formation of the West Palm Beach Mobility Coalition, or WPBgo, a newly created 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to reduce traffic and improve mobility in and around downtown to enable economic growth, reduce commute times and make everyday life easier. The coalition is chaired by Donald Burgess, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. Brightline Trains veteran and nationally recognized mobility expert Jonathan Hopkins is serving as the organization’s interim executive director. 

“Florida is the fastest growing state in America, and people and jobs are flocking to West Palm Beach for our lucrative job market and phenomenal quality of life,” said Raphael Clemente, WPBgo board member and executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, a coalition member.” With this growth comes new demands on our transportation system. Our goal is to create long-term solutions to our parking and congestion challenges.” 

Some of these WPBgo goals include:

• Reduce the drive-alone rate into downtown among employees, residents, and visitors.
• Provide best practice policies for employers.
• Educate patrons on mobility options to reduce parking demand and congestion.
• Provide information and incentives to aid lower-cost options for local employees to get to work.
• Create incentive programs with transportation providers to reduce car use and increase transit, biking, walking, carpooling, and vanpooling utilization.
• Provide input and oversight to on-demand services like Circuit.

To achieve its goals, WPBgo will work with West Palm Beach employers, attractions, and institutions to promote the use of smart mobility alternatives for commuters. These include incentives and information to help commuters get to their destination without utilizing a car. WPBgo aims to expand its reach through outreach and mobility programs with partners including property owners and developers, housing authorities, government employees, hospitals, colleges and universities, and local and regional advocacy groups. These tactics have been employed by high-growth cities that have achieved the highest transit ridership growth in the country. The group will first focus on programs in downtown West Palm Beach due to its density, then evolve into other areas based on a proven track record and lessons learned. 

“West Palm Beach is lucky to be a place where many people want to be, but it also means that we need to have a robust array of transportation options that are equitable, effective, and economically beneficial to the community,” said Mayor Keith A. James, City of West Palm Beach. “Our community is meeting that challenge by investing in improved mobility options.” 

For more information regarding the WPBgo Mobility Coalition, please visit our official website.

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About the WPB Mobility Coalition (WPBgo) 

The WPB Mobility Coalition is a public-private partnership that operates as a non-profit, with a mission to reduce traffic and improve mobility to, from, within, and through downtown to enable economic growth, save peoples’ precious time, and make everyday life easier. 

About the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority 

The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses, and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social, and cultural opportunities. For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.   

About the City of West Palm Beach:
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that offers the business advantages available in the region, combined with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Linked-in.