Vanpool and Buspool Services

An image advertising LA Metro's Vanpool Program

Introduction

Vanpool and buspool services are similar to carpool services, but on a larger scale. They are employed for a variety of reasons, including:

1. To connect residents living in low-density regions with local employment centers
2. To provide an affordable alternative to the automobile for home-to-work travel
3. To provide a door-to-door transportation service in areas where public transit doesn’t exist or paratransit services are too costly to operate

Vanpool and buspool services are typically operated either by an individual, under the auspices of a public or private program, directly by the government, or by an employer. Funding sources can include public agencies, private employers, a combination of public and private sources (as a part of a public-private partnership), or nonprofit organizations such as Best Workplaces for Commuters. Tax breaks are also available for vanpool services, as part of a national effort to decrease congestion.

Vanpool and bus services offer several benefits to users. They reduce the collective cost of gas and private auto insurance, provide access to commuter tax benefits and high occupancy vehicle lanes, and operate on a fixed schedule, ensuring users will get to their destination on time.

California has one of the most robust vanpool programs in the country. Established in 2012, the California Vanpool Authority (CalVans) was created primarily to serve the mobility needs of agricultural workers in the Central Valley.

University Evening Van Service Programs

Several universities across the United States have implemented evening transit programs, aimed at increasing the safety and mobility of students, faculty and staff during evening hours. These vans typically follow fixed routes between campus and drop-off locations in nearby residential areas, or will cater their drop-off locations according to individual requests.

Examples of universities that offer evening van services are Harvard University, Mills College, University of California Los Angeles, and University of California Berkeley. The University of California, Los Angeles' evening van service is provided by the Community Service Officers Program, a campus safety program managed by the University of California Police Department

External Links

Conrick, Amy "Vanpools: A Viable Option in Rural Regions."

Ride Arrangers: Denver Regional Council of Governments. "Vanpool Guidebook."

Transit Cooperative Research Program. TCRP Synthesis 98. "Ride-Sharing as a Complement to Transit." 2012.