Vanpool Start Up Tips
1 Contact the vehicle vendors for rate quotes. There are two commonly used vanpool vendors, VPSI (800) 826-7433 or visit the web site at www.vanpoolusa.com. Enterprise Rideshare can be reached at (800) 826-4967 or visit the website at www.vanpool.com. The vendors will need to know the distance of your commute, the vehicle size you're considering and what kind of amenities you'd like...do you want bench seats or captain-style reclining seats?
2 Estimate the monthly fares by adding fuel costs to your monthly rate quote for the vehicle and dividing by the number of paying passengers. (In most vanpools, the driver rides free, so don't count the driver as a paying passenger.)
3 Get a group of at least 10 commuters together. Traffic Solutions can send you a free list of commuters with a schedule like yours. Call 963-SAVE and ask for a zip code specific list that will gather a list of commuters coming from your home zip code going to your work zip code.
5 Determine who will perform various responsibilities. Each vanpool group needs a driver (the driver usually commutes free), at least one back up driver (preferably two), someone who will rent the vehicle, and someone who will act as treasurer. Often one person has more than one role. For example, it is common for the primary driver to also rent the vehicle.
6 Fill out Traffic Solutions' Vanpool Quick Start Subsidy Application. Click here to download an application
