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What is Vanpooling?
 commuteSmart
Rideshare
offers a comprehensive vanpool program for groups of
seven to fifteen commuters who live and work in the same
general area and share a similar schedule. Vanpooling is
the ultimate form of transportation! Nicely appointed
conversion vans are driven by members of the commuter
group, making the service extremely flexible, convenient,
and affordable. commuteSmart Rideshare provides a variety of vehicles and
mileage options to suit any vanpool group’s needs
and budget. Additionally, if you live or work in
Jefferson or Shelby County your vanpool group can receive
up to $350 per month off the normal vanpool rates for a
limited time.
Why
should I vanpool?
You
will drastically cut your commuting costs, reduce
wear & tear on your car, and share the cost
of fuel and parking with fellow vanpoolers. commuteSmart
Rideshare provides a monthly vanpool subsidy
and other short-term financial assistance to make
it an even better deal.
You
will be amazed at how vanpooling will ease the
stress of the daily commute! You can catch up on
work, read, or even take a quick nap.
Become
a van coordinator or be dropped off at (or
carpool to) the designated meeting place and a
family member can have access to your car during
the day. This could save your family from having
to purchase a second or third car. And, in an
emergency, you always have the Guaranteed
Ride Home
program to back you up.
The
community benefits from having less congestion
and air pollution. Vanpools also reduce the
demand for additional parking spaces in urban
locations.
How
does it work?
Each vanpool is a cooperative effort of a group
of commuters. There is a primary van coordinator who
interacts with commuteSmart
Rideshare on
behalf of the group. That person may do some or most of
the driving and keeps the van at home on nights and
weekends. (Note: The coordinator generally commutes for
free and is allowed personal use of the van within the
monthly mileage limits of the agreement.) Other
participants will be screened and approved to share the
driving. Each van passenger pays an equal share of the
operating costs which include the van payment, gasoline,
parking, etc. So, more riders means lower cost for
everyone.
How
much will it cost to vanpool?
Vanpool passengers share the cost of operating the van.
Vans that are on the road today will have an existing
cost structure and once you make your monthly van
payment, your seat is reserved! A commuteSmart
Rideshare
representative can provide information on existing
vanpools. If you are interested in starting your own
vanpool, we can
help you find riders, plan your route, and calculate the
monthly cost per person.
How
do I get started?
Talk it up among your co-workers and give commuteSmart
Rideshare a
call at 1-800-826-Ride. We can provide matchlists,
marketing materials, promotional assistance, and in some
cases, financial assistance for new vanpool groups. We will meet with the group to help work out the
details and we can meet with your employer to get company
support for your vanpool.
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