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Resources and tools for commute coordinators

Share the ride in a vanpool

What is a Vanpool?

A vanpool is a group of 5-15 people who share a ride to work in a van that is owned, insured and maintained by by a transit agency such as King County Metro. The group enjoys a low monthly fare and a comfortable commute in a van that seats 7, 12, or 15 passengers. Vanpools with only 5 passengers and a commute distance under 50 miles can share a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle. Vanpool members are usually co-workers or people who work in the same vicinity and share driving responsibilities. Each individual vanpool decides their own schedule, pick up and drop off points based on the group’s needs.

What employers can do to support commuting by vanpool:

  • Help employees find a ridematch partner by using
  • Post riders wanted bulletins and announcements on company bulletin board or website
  • Hold "zip to lunch" vanpool formations meetings
  • Provide free, discounted, priority or reserved parking for vanpools
  • Allow employees to use pre-tax income to purchase vanpool fare
  • Provide full or partial subsidy for cost of monthly vanpool fare
  • Provide vanpool formation incentive
  • Provide a guaranteed ride home in case of emergency
  • Provide on-site amenities such as lunch facilities and postal services

Vanpool products