Vanpooling Is Convenient
Arrive at work relaxed and ready to tackle the challenges that really matter. Spend travel time reading, socializing, sleeping, working or planning the day. No fighting traffic or searching for a parking space once at work.
Vanpooling Is Comfortable
Vanpool passengers ride in a reliable, climate-controlled van with power steering, automatic transmission and comfortable seating. Seating areas are equipped with reading lights, air-conditioning and computer power outlet.
Vanpooling Saves You Money
The longer your commute, the more you save on gas, insurance, maintenance costs, and vehicle wear and tear.
Vanpool riders split a monthly fare, which is based on the size of the van and the miles traveled. The more riders in your van, the cheaper the fare for each person. Many employers provide incentives for vanpooling, ranging from small cash reimbursements to fully subsidized fares. Check with your employer for details.
Vanpooling Is Good For Skagit County
Vanpools help cut traffic and make the most of our area's road infrastructure. Vanpools also help reduce energy consumption, air pollution and global warming. One vanpool can keep over 250 pounds of harmful pollution out of the air every month!
What's In It For Me?
Ridesharing also has personal benefits, such as:
- Save money on gas
- Reduced wear and tear on your personal vehicle
- Lower mileage on your personal vehicle, resulting in additional value at sales or trade-in
- Decreased insurance premiums, due to fewer miles traveled by your own vehicle
- Less driving stress
- Reduction in new tire purchases
- Reduced maintenance costs
- More MONEY in your pocket to spend
How Does It Work?
Riders usually meet at a designated location like a shopping center parking lot or a park and ride location. Some vans have more than one pick-up or drop-off point, some don't. It all depends on the nature and needs of the vanpool group.
There is a Vanpool Manager/Bookkeeper who primarily collects monthly fees from the passengers, completes the monthly reports and usually schedules the van for maintenance. There should be two qualified drivers per van. This is so the van is available for the group's commute, whether or not the primary driver is available.
How Do I Get Started?
- To join an existing vanpool, or to find others interested in forming one in your area, call us or go to RideshareOnline.com.
- To start a vanpool, you need at least 5 people - the more people, the lower your fare.
- Use the Vanpool Information Checklist to ensure you have completed all steps necessary to start your vanpool.
- Pick one or two pickup and drop-off points and times. We can help you with this.
- Choose a Van Manager/Bookkeeper and Driver. This may be just one responsible individual. There must also be a Backup Driver. The Van Manager/Bookkeeper will be scheduled for a Bookkeeping Orientation.
- The Drivers must be able to comply with the Driver Function List and the Driver Eligibility Criteria, complete a Driver Application, Driver Abstract, and Vanpool Agreement and provide a copy of their Driver's License and Proof of Insurance. Driver's must also read and sign the Fuel Card Usage form.
- Upon receipt of an acceptable response from Motor Vehicle Records, each Driver will be scheduled for a Driver Orientation, Defensive Driving Course and an On-Road Evaluation.
- All riders and drivers must complete a Vanpool Agreement.
- Make enough copies of the Vanpool Rules and Responsibilites to ensure that each member receives a copy.
- A van may be issued to the group soon after completing these steps.
If you have any questions, call us at 360-757-8801 or toll-free at 877-584-7528 and ask for the Vanpool Coordinator, or e-mail us at vanpool@skagittransit.org
