| Vanpools are much like carpools –
they just have more passengers. Vanpools normally carry
from 12 to 15 people, each sharing the commuting costs.
The number of passengers, length of trip, insurance,
maintenance, gas and parking fees determines the actual
cost. Vanpools provide a low cost, safe and convenient
way to commute.
Vanpooling can be an economical option for
individuals commuting long distances. There are three
kinds of vanpools:
- Owner-operated vans — an individual leases or
purchases a van and operates the van independently.
Riders usually meet at a central location and pay
the owner a set monthly fee.
- Third-party vans — a vanpool “vendor” leases the
vehicle for a monthly fee that includes the vehicle
operating cost, insurance, and maintenance. The
vendor can contract directly with one or more
employees. The monthly lease fee is paid by the
group of users.
- Employer-provided vans — the employer (or a
group of employers) buys or leases vans for
employees’ commute use. The employer organizes the
vanpool riders and insures and maintains the
vehicles. The employer may charge a fee to ride in
the van or subsidize the service.
There are number of advantages to vanpooling:
- Less stress commuting to and from work
- Financial savings by sharing the cost of the
commute
- No more driving around hunting for parking
- Relaxation, as a rider you have some free time
- Reduced travel time if an HOV lane is available
- Help protect the environment through less
pollution, as there are less auto emission
In addition to commercial vanpool resources, your
employer may offer vanpooling opportunities. Check
with your company’s Human Resources department to
learn more.Below are a variety of links to information about
vanpooling options, including ridematching services,
the locations of park-and-ride lots, and much more.
Check this page regularly as more links will be
added as they become available.
If you are aware of additional commuting links and
resources that should be added to this page, please let
us know. Send your suggestions and comments to
TN.SmartCommutetn.gov
VANPOOL LINKS
RTA RideMatch: find a friend to share a ride
RTA Park and Ride Lots: locate Park and Ride sites
TMA: vanpool fleet serving 9 Middle Tennessee
counties
Knoxville Vanpool: Knoxville area vanpool
classifieds
Statewide: Tennessee Vans
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