How to Promote Vanpooling

Who Should I Target for Vanpooling?

• Longer distance commuters . . . that have more than a 15-mile one-way commute trip.
• Younger (35 yrs for VP’er vs. 40 yrs. For drive alones)
• Employees with “regular work hours,” as the vanpool has one start time and one departure time every day.

What Are the Best Incentives for Vanpooling?

• Cash subsidy or percent of the monthly fare is the best motivator.
• Pre tax savings to vanpoolers. Go to Tax Savings to learn more on how the employer and the employee can save.
• Preferential or special Parking privileges; both close to the door and or covered parking.
• Recognition by providing a Commuter Club Card.
• Save time - access to the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane.
• Reduce wear and tear on your vehicle.

What Are the Best Tactics to Market Vanpooling?

• Develop a promotion to promote matching carpoolers with ShareTheRide.com. See carpool section for more details. This system also allows individuals to join a vanpool if there is an opening in their area with the same commute.
• Target the potential employees: invite those that live over 15 miles from work, in areas where larger groups of employees live. Look at your TRP survey analysis for help and call your Valley Metro Rep to assist you with this analysis.
• Hold a “vanpool match party” and ask employees to sit and chat with others who live in the same area to make arrangements. Have food and a PC set-up to provide a demonstration to show how easy it is to use ShareTheRide.com.
• Conduct your vanpool promotion with “neighboring employers” to help increase the pool of people for forming successful vanpools. Your VM Rep can help you with this, or better yet, join a TCA and do a joint promotion through the TCA area.
• Advertise the “vanpool incentives you offer!”