Frequently Asked Questions About Vanpooling
- What is vanpooling and is it the right choice for me?
- What are the benefits of vanpooling?
- How much does it cost to vanpool?
- Will a vanpool pick me up at home?
- What if I’m sick or go on vacation? Do I still have to pay for my seat?
- If I become sick at work, how do I get home?
- What if I’m late or someone else keeps us waiting?
- Are there rules?
- I’m trying to start a vanpool and don’t have quite enough riders. What do I do?
- Do I need to own a van to start a Metro Vanpool?
- I’m interested in signing up for the Metro Vanpool Program. What do I need to do?
- Once enrolled, when does the Metro Vanpool Program lease subsidy begin?
- What are the next steps after enrolling in the Metro Vanpool Program?
- If I start a Metro Vanpool, do I have to be the driver?
- What are the benefits of driving the van?
- Is the Metro Vanpool Program available to persons with disabilities?
- Are there any other added benefits?
What is vanpooling and is it the right choice for me?
Do you commute a long distance (at least 15 miles one way)? Do you work Monday through Friday? Are your hours consistent—or do they have the potential to be? If so, you may be an ideal candidate for vanpooling.
A vanpool is a group of seven to 15 people who commute together on a regular basis in a van. One person usually drives and maintains the van while riders pay a monthly fare. Most vanpools are obtained through a vanpool leasing company by a group of individuals. Sometimes, companies operate a fleet of vanpools, offering their employees reduced rates.
What are the benefits of vanpooling?
Save money on gas and other commuting costs
- If your van qualifies for the Metro Vanpool Program your van will receive an ongoing subsidy of up to $400 per month
- Reduce wear and tear on your car
- Save time by traveling in carpool lanes
- Reduce traffic and pollution
- Qualify for special perks at work, such as preferred parking, prize drawings, subsidies and more
- Lower commuting stress
- Meet new friends
How much does it cost to vanpool?
Fares vary depending on the size of van, van features, commute distance, number of riders, fare subsidies, etc. The average monthly fare for a Metro Vanpool Program rider with a 70-mile roundtrip commute is about $140 per month, saving each rider around $50 per month in comparison to a non-participating vanpool.
Metro Vanpool Program subsidies must be distributed equally among all vanpool members. The monthly payment covers the van lease, insurance and maintenance costs. Participating partner leasing agencies accept TransitChek vouchers.
Will a vanpool pick me up at home?
To reduce the number of pick-ups and drop-offs, ensuring that everyone gets to work and home quickly, most vanpoolers choose to meet at Park and Ride lots, shopping center lots or other agreed-upon locations along the way. A typical vanpool may make anywhere from one to three stops.
What if I’m sick or go on vacation? Do I still have to pay for my seat?
Your monthly fare reserves your seat whether you use it or not. If you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, most vanpools allow you to temporarily “sublet” your seat to another rider. Remember, even if you miss a day here or there, vanpooling is still a bargain compared to driving alone.
If I become sick at work, how do I get home?
Most leasing agencies and many employers offer a Guaranteed Ride Home program in the event of a personal emergency.
What if I’m late or someone else keeps us waiting?
Most vanpool groups set a standard waiting period, such as five to seven minutes, for the van to wait.
Most vanpools establish rules that cover such things as smoking, playing the radio, tardiness, vanpool etiquette, etc. The vanpool coordinator may set some policies, while others may be voted upon by riders.
I’m trying to start a vanpool and don’t have quite enough riders. What do I do?
You may want to consider starting your vanpool with a few empty seats if riders are willing to pay a bit more. But remember, Metro Vanpools must begin service with a 70% vehicle occupancy rate, including the driver. Once the vanpool is up and running, it’s easier to fill seats.
Do I need to own a van to start a Metro Vanpool?
No. In fact, Metro Vanpool Program vehicles must be leased through our partner vanpool leasing agencies. These companies lease commuter vanpools on a month-to-month basis, and the lease includes insurance and maintenance.
They also offer information and assistance for recruiting riders and setting fares and policies. If you decide to start a vanpool using your own van, you will not qualify for Metro Vanpool Program subsidies.
I’m interested in signing up for the Metro Vanpool Program. What do I need to do?
-
Contact Metro’s Partner Leasing Agencies to lease a van, determine a route, recruit riders, set fares and policies, and—if you’re going to also serve as driver—fulfill any legal requirements for driving a vanpool. Your vanpool leasing company is an invaluable ally in your efforts to pull together a vanpool.
-
Print a Metro Vanpool Program Participation Application and Agreement, or get one from one of our partner leasing agencies. Complete the application and submit it to your selected leasing agency.
-
The leasing agency will forward completed applications to Metro for approval. Once approved, your leasing agency will contact you.
-
Metro will send a start-up kit to the Metro Vanpool Program Volunteer Participant. Volunteer Participants are all persons, including Leaseholders, Drivers and Substitute Drivers, who operate Metro Vanpool Program vehicles.
Once enrolled, when does the Metro Vanpool Program subsidy begin?
Applications must be received by Metro on or before the 15th of the month to be considered for the subsidy. The subsidy will appear as a credit on the following month’s vanpool lease statement. Applications received by Metro after the 15th of the month, will incur a one-month delay for payment.
Once enrolled, Metro will engage in periodic communication with the Metro Vanpool Program Volunteer Participant. The volunteer participant will provide Metro with monthly operating reports, periodic surveys, and be required to provide Metro with updates as they occur, including ridership changes, route changes, etc. As an added benefit, Metro Vanpool Program groups will be eligible for future Metro Vanpool Program promotions and giveaways.
If I start a Metro Vanpool, do I have to be the driver?
You don’t need to be the driver. Your duties can be limited to helping your vanpool to get on the road by recruiting a driver and alternates, helping to find riders, and researching vanpool leasing options. Once the van is up and running, you can simply pay your fare and be a rider, or continue some administrative duties such as collecting fares or overseeing paperwork.
What are the benefits of driving the van?
Since every vanpool sets its own rules, the benefits of driving will vary based on how you choose to organize your vanpool. In exchange for driving and handling maintenance, drivers often ride at a discount or for free, and have limited use of the van on evenings and weekends, while riders split expenses. Other vanpools split the driving duties between several people, giving each of them a discount. Or, your vanpool may prefer to run more like a “co-op” with everyone taking a turn at driving, collecting fares, handling maintenance responsibilities, etc.
Is the Metro Vanpool Program available to persons with disabilities?
Yes. Metro Vanpool Program partner leasing agencies have ADA accessible vehicles available for vanpool groups.
Are there any other added benefits?
As an added bonus, both employers and employees can benefit by participating in “Commuter Benefits”, a program outlined in the federal tax code, that offers employers tax breaks for subsidizing vanpools for employees. In addition, employees may benefit when they set aside pre-tax dollars for vanpool commuting expenses.