METRO ADDS MORE VANPOOLS
May 20, 2008
Increasing fuel prices are definitely affecting area commuters. Many are turning to public transportation, Park & Ride services, carpools and vanpools.
In the last two months, METRO has added more than 30 new vanpool routes. Currently, METRO has 656 vanpool routes in operation.
Companies like Baker Hughes, Jacobs Engineering, ConocoPhillips, Anheuser-Busch and BP have contributed to the vanpool growth in the past few months.
“We are seeing rising individual inquiry rates that are in response to rising fuel costs,” said David McMaster, METRO’s director of customer service. “These will surely lead to more van growth in the months ahead.”
Vanpooling has many benefits, it:
- Lowers vehicle gas and maintenance expenses
- Lowers personal auto insurance rates
- Saves time with use of HOV lanes
- Lowers stress by letting someone else drive
- Provides a reliable source of transportation to and from work
- Reduces congestion by lowering number of vehicles on roadways, and
- Reduces harmful emissions.
Each qualified vanpool rider receives a monthly incentive of $35, with some employers offering additional transportation benefits, reducing commuting costs even more.
For more information about vanpooling or carpooling call METRO at 713-224-RIDE (7433).
