 |
 |
Techniques For Mitigating Urban Sprawl |
|
|
| |
| Alternative Mode Support Strategies - Facility and Systems Improvements |
| Vanpooling and Ridematching Services |
|
Vanpooling is a travel mode that brings five to fifteen commuters together in one vehicle - typically a van. In Puget Sound Region, vanpooling has achieved a 2% share of the overall commute market. Among commuters who travel over 20 miles each way, vanpooling has reached a 7% market share. Employers frequently subsidize vanpool fares for their employees. IRS regulations allow transit or vanpool subsidies of up to $65 ($100 in 2002) per month, tax-free for employees. Washington State law exempts vanpool commutes from workers’ compensation insurance coverage, and the purchase of a van for vanpooling is exempt from the state sales tax or use tax in the case of a lease. Case/Example: Puget Sound Region (WA). Source/Reference: Office of Urban Mobility, 2000; WSDOT, 2000, pp. 5-6 and pp. 9-10.
|
|
Central Texas. Capitol Metro encourages vanpooling services since they help reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. Capitol Metro provides services with the van, maintenance, gas and insurance charges paid. The vans can carry a maximum of 8 to 12 passengers and needs at least 6 passengers to start a vanpooling group. The service is charged at $25 per rider per month for vans that operate in the Capital Metro service area and for vans that are outside the Capital Metro service area, a mileage-based rate in addition to the $25 fee is applied. The service offers driver incentives such as no monthly pay for the driver, and approved personal use (errands, other appointments) of van for the main driver. The service also locates the vanpooling group using ridematching software for free.
http://www.capmetro.org/riding/van_pool.asp
|
|
|
|
Vanpool – “The miniPOOL program merged into METRO's vanpool program (METROVan) effective May 1, 2007. This change will affect miniPOOL's administration and reporting, but miniPOOL will continue to operate in its present format including funding support.”
Commute Solutions Vanpool Alternative – “A vanpool is a group that commutes to work together in a van, usually provided by a local transit authority, nonprofit group or employer. Members—usually co-workers or people who work in the same vicinity—volunteer to drive, fuel and keep the van clean, and schedule maintenance and repair work.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Envision Central Texas  6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165 Austin, TX 78744 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 17848 Austin, TX 78760-7848 |
|
