What is a RideShare vanpool?
A RideShare vanpool is a group of 4 or more people who regularly travel together in a rideshare vehicle for the purpose of commuting to and from work. It's like a carpool, only bigger! The program provides vanpool groups with a month-to-month lease agreement that includes the vehicle, maintenance, insurance and 24-hour roadside assistance. Vehicles are leased through CapMetro's vendor Enterprise.
Who is eligible to participate in the RideShare vanpool program?
Anyone traveling to and/or from the CapMetro service area for work purposes are eligible to participate.
How do the RideShare vanpool logistics work?
In the process of forming a vanpool, the vendor will work with the vanpool driver to determine the best route based on everyone's home and work locations. Vanpools do not pick up riders at their homes, rather all riders meet at a Park & Ride or central meeting location (church parking lot, store parking lot, etc.) before work and are dropped off there after the workday has ended. When a new passenger is added to the group, the route may be changed to accommodate his/her work location. The group collectively decides if routes need to be changed.
What is the cost of a RideShare vanpool?
Groups with an origin or destination outside the CapMetro service area are eligible to receive a $450 monthly subsidy, while vanpool groups traveling exclusively within the service area are eligible to receive a $500 monthly subsidy. In exchange for the monthly subsidy, vanpool groups are required to participate in program surveys and log their vanpool trips each month online using a trip tracking system. Riders share the cost of the monthly lease, fuel, tolls and any other commute-related expense. The monthly cost will depend on the vehicle type chosen by the group, commute distance and the number of riders.
What types of vehicles are available?
Vehicle options range from 7-passenger SUVs to full size 8- and 12-passenger vans. There are two types of 8- and 12-passenger vans. ADA compliant vehicles are available upon request.
How are fares paid?
Vanpool fares are paid to the Enterprise. Online payments make it easy to pay and manage the vanpool account. Changes in the price of fuel and number of participants may affect the monthly costs. Since the overall cost of the vanpool is split among participants, the more riders, the lower the individual cost per rider.
How do I start a vanpool, or join a vanpool?
To start a new vanpool, you will need to find people who share similar commute patterns and working hours. The minimum number to begin a vanpool is 4 or half the seating capacity of the chosen vehicle. However, the goal is to grow the group to the seating capacity over time. To find an existing vanpool that fits with your commute, please contact RideShare to request a ride match.
Once I join a vanpool, what is my commitment?
The RideShare vanpool program is a month-to-month commitment. If any rider leaves the group, they should give a 30-day notice to the coordinator/primary driver. If the group decides at some point to end its vanpool, they will be required to give a 30-day notice in writing to the vendor.
How is fuel paid?
Each vanpool has the option to have a prepaid fuel card. Each month the group can add funds to the card, which can be used for fuel, car washes and tolls.
Who drives the vehicle?
One person from the group needs to volunteer and apply to be the coordinator/primary driver and sign the vanpool lease agreement with the vendor. Typically, two or three riders volunteer to be alternate drivers to step in when needed. Only drivers approved in writing are allowed to drive.
Where does the vehicle get parked at night?
The vehicle can be left at the meeting point or an authorized driver may take it home.
Can the vehicle be used for personal trips?
The vendor allows up to 200 additional personal miles per month to be used by the coordinator/primary driver for incidentals.
How is vehicle maintenance handled?
The vendor pays for preventative maintenance, minor and major repairs. In the event that the vehicle must be kept in a shop overnight, the vendor will provide a loaner vehicle. Roadside assistance is also covered, 24/7, in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
Is the vehicle insured?
The vendor provides insurance coverage including auto liability and uninsured motorist.
Who makes the rules for the vanpool?
Each group makes its own rules, and each rider should be familiar with them. The vendor may offer suggestions and assist when the group is unable to resolve a concern.
Can I ride the vanpool part-time?
It is up to the discretion of the vanpool group to allow part-time riders as long as a seat is available. Generally, participation is month-to-month and is for the entire month.
Are children allowed to ride?
Due to insurance and legal requirements, vanpooling is not an option for families needing rides for school-age children, and vanpooling may not be used for transporting children to and from school. No one under the age of 17 may be ride in the vehicle.
What happens when a driver is ill, or on vacation?
The group should have an alternate driver to step in when the coordinator/primary driver is ill or on vacation. As long as there are alternate drivers, the group should have coverage for the days when others are out.
What if I need to leave work unexpectedly?
CapMetro's Guaranteed Ride Home program provides registered vanpool riders with a ride home in the event of an unexpected emergency from work. For an annual membership fee of $5, each rider can register and get reimbursed up to four emergency rides a calendar year. Maximum reimbursement for each trip is $48.50.
