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1. Can I bring food or drinks in the van?

This is a great question for your vanpool coordinator! Although water and other beverages and snacks may be allowed, some food types may be restricted due to rider allergies or other reasons.

2. What happens if the vanpool breaks down?

In the rare occurrence that your vanpool breaks down, your transit authority is ready to help. Contact the transit authority of your vanpool right away. They will dispatch technicians and, if needed, a replacement vehicle as soon as possible. You may also need to call your work to let them know about the situation.

3. What is the difference between a vanpool, a vanshare and a carpool?

While all are a type of rideshare, vanpool is more formal and usually arranged through a transit authority. Vanpoolers pay their fare to the transit authority, and the transit-owned van is used, which includes maintenance, licensing and insurance.

If you ride the bus, train or bike to a transit station, a vanshare can help you complete the ride to home, school or work. Limited to shorter distances than vanpools, vanshares get you the “last mile” of your commute. Just like a vanpool, the vans are operated by the transit authority, require a minimum of three people, and are paid for on a monthly basis. You can check with your transit authority to see the vanshare options available.

A carpool can be informally arranged between two or more people who share a similar commute route. In a carpool, passengers pay the driver an agreed fare to fairly split gas, parking, maintenance, insurance, etc. or carpool members rotate driving their personal vehicle equally.