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For many Snoqualmie Valley commuters, getting to work means spending a lot of time behind the wheel. Between traffic, fuel, tolls, parking and wear and tear on your car, the daily drive can take a toll on both your time and your wallet.
King County Metro Vanpool offers another option: share the trip with a small group of people headed in the same direction.
Vanpool groups bring together commuters who live and work near one another and have similar schedules. Instead of everyone making the drive separately, the group rides together, sharing the commute and many of the costs that come with it.
More than just sharing a ride
With Vanpool, your fare includes gas, insurance, tolls, vehicle maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance. If an unexpected emergency means you need another way home, Metro may also reimburse eligible taxi or rideshare costs.
For Cynthia, who has been commuting by Vanpool for more than 15 years, those savings have made a meaningful difference.
“I joined Vanpool for free parking at work. I save $264 a month, plus gas is so expensive,” Cynthia said.
Some commuters can save even more through transportation benefits offered by their employer.
Vanpool commuter Pablo uses his employer’s ORCA Business Passport benefit to help cover his Vanpool costs.
“My employer provides a transportation benefit through the ORCA Business Passport program, and I use it to cover the Vanpool expenses,” Pablo said. “To me, that’s so convenient. Why would I not use it?”
A commute built around your group
Vanpool isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. Each group determines its schedule, route and pickup locations based on what works for its members.
To start a Vanpool, find at least four other commuters who live and work near you, have a similar commute, and whose trip begins or ends in King County. Your group can include co-workers, neighbors or family members. You’ll also need two volunteer drivers and someone to complete a few simple monthly reports.
And being part of a Vanpool doesn’t mean you have to drive every day. Many groups rotate driving responsibilities, giving everyone opportunities to sit back and enjoy the ride.
“When I’m not driving, I like to nap in the van or study languages on a learning app,” said longtime Vanpool rider Karl.
That can make the commute feel a little less like lost time. Instead of focusing on traffic for the entire trip, riders can relax, read, catch up on something or simply let someone else take the wheel.
Find your seat
Whether you have a long commute, limited transit options near home or simply want to spend less time driving alone, Vanpool offers a flexible way to rethink the trip to work.
You can start a new group or find an available seat in an existing Vanpool that matches your commute.
Vanpool: There’s a seat for everyone, including you.
Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/metro/vanpool.
