Vanpool 101

Everything you always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask…

Presented to the CommuteInfo Stakeholders

October 5, 2004

Vanpool 101

Agenda

What is a vanpool? What kind of vehicles are they? Who drives the vans? Where do vans travel? Where can vans travel? How do I start a vanpool? What about the paperwork? How do riders get matched to vans? What about the bill? What about the day to day operation of the vanpool? Who does what? Questions & Comments What is it like to ride in a van?

What is a vanpool?

A group of commuters who travel together to the same destination for their work.

Vanpools work best for commutes that are longer than 15-miles one way.

The CommuteInfo vans hold either 9 or 15 passengers.

The cost for riding a van can fluctuate based on gas prices, etc. but generally is in the range of $60 – 80 per month. Each rider is required to pay ahead “reserving their space” for the upcoming month (it does not change based on usage).

The vanpool driver is a volunteer from the rider group, who agrees to take on the responsibility for the van as well as serve as the driver daily.

What kind of vehicles are they?

Need to ask Paul for 9 & 15 passenger van pictures and inside configurations

Who drives the vans?Vanpool Driver Approval Criteria August 2004

A volunteer driver applicant must meet the following criteria at the time of application.

1. Driver has volunteered to be a vanpool driver and has not been designated by a group or company as a driver and receives no compensation from a group or company for driving. Driver is not an agent, servant or employee of VPSI. The Driver is an independent party participating, with others, in a voluntary, not for profit, ridesharing arrangement.

2. Driver has a valid driver’s license from the state in which driver resides. 3. Driver is 25 years of age or older. 4. Driver has a minimum of five years current and uninterrupted licensed driving experience.5. Driver does not have more than one moving violation or at-fault accident in the past 12 months. 6. Driver does not have more than two moving violations or at-fault accidents in the past 36 months (or any

combination thereof). 7. Driver does not have any record of convictions for serious offenses such as:

A. Excessive speed B. Operating to endanger C. Reckless or careless driving D. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs E. Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license F. School bus stopping or passing violations G. Leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury or property damage H. Motor vehicle homicide.

Notes: These criteria is used as a guide to determine eligibility to be approved as a VPSI Volunteer Vanpool Driver. VPSI reserves the right to approve or deny drivers at any time based on information derived from a Motor Vehicle Report or from any responsible report. VPSI may require an annual physical and subsequent written physician’s report and/or the successful completion of a defensive driving course. (These may be a requirement in some states.)

Where do vans travel?

•Currently 42 vanpools are operating in the region

•Destinations are currently only downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland

Where can vans travel?

Picture of the region…

How do I start a vanpool?

Vanpools with No Third Party Payment Guarantee Identify potential primary drivers – have them review the Vanpool Driver Approval

Criteria, complete sections B & C only of the DL-503 (Request for Driver Information), Section 1 of the VPSI Commuter Vanpool Application, complete the corresponding Volunteer Driver Application, Volunteer Driver Agreement, Disclosure of Intent to Obtain a Consumer Report and the Credit Request.

Identify potential back-up drivers (should be at least one per van, but it is recommended to have more) - have them complete sections B & C only of the DL-503 (Request for Driver Information) and sign the Alternate Volunteer Driver Agreement.

Return DL-503s (please note the fee for processing is paid by VPSI), Volunteer Driver Agreements & Alternate Volunteer Driver Agreements to CommuteInfo for processing (will take driver check 5 days – 3 weeks to be returned once CommuteInfo has received them).

VPSI will set up a billing account with the driver. Once driver history checks are returned, a date is set for van delivery, driver training

and service start-up.

What about the paperwork?

Distribute copies of the paperwork…

How do riders get matched?

What about the bill?

The invoice (lease costs) Gas, Parking & Tolls SPC’s subsidy

Riders Fares

What about the day to day operation of the vanpool?

Pick-up & drop-off locations Parking Music choice Personality conflicts

Vehicle maintenance or emergency service Back-up plan

Who does what?

Emergencies, van maintenance, invoicing

Paul Fancsali Michael MoatsManager Fleet Coordinator412-882-6580 or 1-800-VAN-RIDE412-352-1742 (cell)[email protected]

Meg Kessler Lisa Kay SchweyerRidesharing Coordinator

Program Developer412-391-5590 x337 412-391-5590 x375

Vanpool startups, help filling seats, driver/rider questions

Questions & Comments