Description
This measure provides financial incentives or subsidies to reduce the cost of vanpools. The subsidies are often structured to taper off over time or in the case of farmworker transportation are provided as an ongoing subsidized program.
Implementation Details
- Partner with CalVans and other non-profits to provide vanpool services to farms and low income service jobs.
- Partner with private providers such as Enterprise to establish an account and program for commuters to use.
Mitigation Potential
Providing monetary incentives to use alternative modes of transportation reduces vehicle trips and therefore VMT. Related quantification methods for vanpools include CAPCOA, T-11. Provide Employer-Sponsored Vanpool, pg. 104-108.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Prioritize funding for low-income households and communities with low vehicle ownership rates. Ensure incentives support access to affordable and reliable multimodal options such as transit, biking, and walking. Monitor equity outcomes using disaggregated data on program usage by income and geography.
Funding Sources
Developing a local program would require seed money as well as an ongoing revenue source, consider utilizing Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), or Clean Mobility Options funds. Specific funding sources include the Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program (California Air Resources Board), and the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program – Sustainable Communities – Competitive and Technical (Caltrans). The IE Commuter – Guaranteed Ride Home Program from the Riverside County Transportation Commission Provides reimbursement for emergency rides (Uber/Lyft, taxi, or transit) for registered rideshare participants. Another funding source is the Community Rides Grant Program from the National Rural Transit Assistance Program.
Examples/Case Studies
The CalHR Commute Program provides various incentives to state employees to encourage the use of alternative transportation methods, including vanpools. The primary goal of this program is to reduce traffic congestion and promote environmentally friendly commuting options. By participating in the vanpool incentive, employees can receive financial benefits for sharing rides with colleagues, which helps decrease the number of vehicles on the road.
Kings Area Rural Transit (KART)
The program provides a convenient and environmentally friendly commuting option for residents and employees in Orange County. Participants can benefit from a $600 monthly subsidy, which helps cover the costs associated with vanpooling. The program mandates that vehicles must be leased through an approved vendor, such as Enterprise Vanpool, which offers month-to-month leases along with maintenance, insurance, and roadside assistance.