Vanpooling: Comfort and Savings
Let’s face it, Americans love their cars, but some recent studies show that when given quality transportation options, many people choose not to drive.
That’s just one of the reasons that RIPTA’s Commuter Resource RI (CRRI) team is excited to announce Vanpooling as the latest transportation mode to soon join their portfolio of options and programs for commuters!
RIPTA is in the process of seeking proposals from qualified companies to provide vanpool services as part of a statewide pilot program. A vanpool is like a carpool, but usually with more people and a slightly larger vehicle like a van or an SUV. Typically, riders share the costs of commuting by paying an equitable monthly fare, but there are also subsidies available – either from the government or from certain vanpool companies – to reduce these costs. Often, vanpool companies provide the vehicles and cover associated costs such as insurance and maintenance, and that is the type of proposal RIPTA is currently seeking.
Vanpooling can benefit commuters in many ways including savings in fuel and insurance costs.
Passengers collaborate on schedules that best meet their work hours, and there are “guaranteed ride home” options which provide taxi cab vouchers for emergency instances when someone might need to leave work early.
The benefits to communities include less congestion on highways and secondary roads, and a reduction in automobile emissions.
Many vanpool members from across the country report that they find the commute to work more enjoyable, whether it be the comfort of the vehicle, the relief of not having to drive all the time, or the company of their colleagues.
Vanpools have also proven to be great transportation options for areas that may not be serviced by regular fixed-route buses. Many nearby states are using vanpooling to provide another layer of transportation options for residents.
Stay tuned!
