How Vanpools Work

Vanpools are more formal arrangements than carpools. A vanpool group is six to fifteen people who have agreed to ride to work together and lease a larger vehicle to get them to work. Drivers must be certified, and usually must take a brief training class. Riders are required to sign a rider agreement that outlines the nature of the service.

A vanpool also has a group leader, or bookkeeper, who keeps records and manages the vehicle and payments. This includes taking the vehicle for maintenance and performing monthly reporting duties. Often, but not always, the group leader is also the primary driver.

When searching for a vanpool to get you to work, you will first ask to join the group. (If no seats are presently available, your name is added to a wait list.) You will be contacted when a seat is available, and you'll be asked to sign the rider agreement.

Each vanpool member is required to make a monthly payment. Depending on the rules of the vanpool program, drivers and group leaders may pay a reduced fare in recognition of their extra effort in the vanpool arrangement.

Have our web site search for you. Just like carpools, if you don't initially find a vanpool route, enable our New Match Alert Feature. Our web site will periodically check for new or updated vanpool route profiles that match to you, and you'll be notified automatically.