The coolest commute hack: Joining a vanpool. The alternative rideshare option saves time + money by allowing you to commute with a group of three or more people (think: neighbors, friends, coworkers, or an existing group). The best part: The affordable monthly fee includes a van, gas, tolls, insurance, car maintenance, 24-hour roadside assistance, and more.
Participating in a vanpool makes the stress of commuting, well, less stressful — here’s how:
- Shorter commutes: Multiple passengers in one vehicle means access to HOV + toll lanes. Read: Less time in traffic + more time in your day.
- You don’t have to drive every day: Whether ridesharing three days per week or seven, Vanpool allows the driving responsibilities to be shared in the group. Groups can have designated drivers for different days of the week.
- Community building: Vanpooling gives you a chance to connect with others and build relationships that frequently extend beyond the van.
- Flexibility: Vanpooling allows everyone to have access to affordable, convenient and reliable transportation — from office workers transitioning back to their worksites to people who can’t use traditional transit systems due to their schedules or location (think: employees who work non-traditional schedules, live too far from bus or rail, or whose bus commute involves too many connections).
- You’re helping the environment: Less congestion on the roads means less pollution. Bonus: Less cars also make finding parking easier. In Seattle, for example, drivers spend an average of 57 hours per year looking for parking — that’s time you’ll get back by participating in vanpool.
“I’ve made new friends, networked with coworkers and feel so much more relaxed while commuting,” says a vanpool member. “ We listen to podcasts, give each other networking tips and share recipes. In this age of global climate awareness, mindfulness, and health consciousness — a program like this is totally hip and on point.”
Photo provided by King County Metro
Vanpooling might just be the community’s best kept secret. Start a vanpool.*
