Vanpool

WHAT IS A VANPOOL?

A vanpool is a group of 3 to 15 riders sharing a van provided by a transit agency. Transit agencies own, maintain, manage, insure and license the van. Each vanpool needs a volunteer driver, back-up driver and a bookkeeper. You don’t have to all work at the same place, but it helps to have start and end points that are near other riders.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH A VANPOOL

There are a number of convenient ways to match with a vanpool that works for you and your needs:

• Start a new vanpool by contacting Pierce Transit. To find riders, talk to co-workers or hang the Riders Wanted flyer (PDF) in your workplace.
• Find a regional van operating in your area based on your work schedule and location using RideshareOnline.com.

Complete your personalized ridematch request form if you’re commuting to JBLM or Camp Murray.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE IN A VANPOOL?

Depending on the transit agency, the number of days you want to commute, the mileage of your commute, and the number of passengers will affect your total fare. Some agencies even have day rates available, too. But it’s safe to say that participating in a vanpool is cheaper than operating a single-occupancy vehicle!

Find your vanpool price based on your county and round-trip miles:

• Pierce County: Pierce Transit's Vanpool Fare page 
• Thurston County: Intercity Transit's Vanpool Fare page 
• King County: King County Metro's Vanpool Fare page 
• Snohomish County: Community Transit’s Vanpool Fare page
• Kitsap County: Kitsap Transit's Vanpool Fare page 

Your vanpool fare covers all operating costs, including gas, insurance, maintenance, and 24-hour support. Another cost-friendly perk: vanpoolers cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll-free and are not required to pay WA State Ferry vehicle fares!

Vanpool drivers get added perks through Pierce Transit. When there are at least five paying members of the vanpool, drivers do not pay a fare. Drivers can also pay a low standard rate for mileage associated with incidental trips related to the commute, such as stopping at the gym on the way home from work or driving to an appointment during work hours.

SAVE MONEY BY VANPOOLING

You can save some cash by riding in a vanpool. Check out this calculator to see how much by entering in some basic information about your regular commute.

MORE WAYS TO SAVE BY VANPOOLING

Although vanpools are already a great way to save on your commute, you may be able to save even more!

• Some employers offer a subsidy or reimbursement for vanpool fares.
• Many employers who provide ORCA cards cover the entire fare.
• Youth ride free! Riders 18 years of age or younger are not charged a vanpool fare.

Check with your employer, HR or Employee Transportation Coordinator to find out what kinds of benefits and incentives your workplace provides to vanpool riders.

GET HELP FROM EXPERTS

There are vanpool experts ready to help get you started. Check with the Pierce Transit Vanpool Staff for support and answers to your commuter questions.

EMERGENCY RIDE HOME

If your employer partners with Ride Together Pierce and you use a smart commute option to get to work, you may be eligible for a free Uber, Lyft or taxi ride home in case of an emergency. Visit Ride Together Pierce’s Emergency Ride Home page for more information or contact your Employee Transportation Coordinator.

STAR VANPOOLER HIGHLIGHT

See the benefits vanpooler Sue points out about vanpooling to work!