Getting Your Vanpool Started
Commuter Services can help commuters form a vanpool by locating and bringing together a group of seven to 15 people to share the ride and commuting costs to and from work. We’ll help to map your locations, identify a meeting place for morning and afternoon pick-ups, and even assist with finding back-up drivers. Once your vanpool is on the road, Commuter Services’ commitment to marketing and outreach at worksites will help you with potential new riders.
Make It Easy on Yourself
Convenience
Each vanpool has a unique route and schedule based on the needs of its members. In most cases, vanpoolers meet their rides at park-and-ride lots or another site and are driven to their worksites. At the end of the workday, vanpoolers are picked up near their worksite and are driven back to their meeting point.
Comfort
Relax or catch up on work during your daily commute. Vanpools offer comfortable seating, zoned heating and air conditioning, customized lighting, tinted windows, and other amenities.
The Vanpool program administered by Commuter Services of Pennsylvania can provide accessible vehicles and adapted equipment which meets current ADA regulations. Vanpool pricing varies based on commuter options (adaptive equipment, size of van, type of seating, etc) and cost estimates are provided upon request.
Reduce Travel Costs
Low monthly rates
Participating in a vanpool can drastically reduce your commuting costs. Vanpoolers share vehicle and gas costs, as well as tolls and parking.
Driving alone to work 25 miles each way can cost more than $5,000 a year. The same commute in a 14-passenger vanpool can cost much, much less. One monthly payment covers the cost of your vehicle, insurance, maintenance and applicable sales tax. The exact monthly cost of your vanpool will vary depending on your choice of vehicle and the total roundtrip miles of your commute. Commuter Services will guide you through your options and help you select the right vehicle and pricing for your group. To learn more about vanpooling and its benefits, call Commuter Services at 1.866.579.RIDE (1.866.579.7433) or Email us.
What if I Need to Get Home for an Emergency?
Commuter Services of PA offers the Emergency Ride Home (ERH) Program to provide peace of mind for commuters using “green” commute modes, so they can be reimbursed if they need to find another ride home in the event of an illness or emergency. To be eligible you just need to be enrolled in Commute PA and tracking at least two “green” trips per week. Please visit the Emergency Ride Home page, for more information about eligibility and what qualifies!
Tax Benefits
Section 132(f) of the Federal tax code enables employers to offer pre-tax deductions of up to $300 per month to pay for qualified vanpool costs. Pennsylvania Act 279 of 1982 also addresses ridesharing arrangements.
For employer or commuter help, call Commuter Services at 1.866.579.RIDE or Email us.
Edenred vouchers or cards are offered by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and can be used to pay for qualified vanpool costs.
For more information on Edenred, please visit commuterbenefits.com.
