Two New Exciting Programs for Commuters: Vanpool and Guaranteed Ride Home

Are you currently driving to work by yourself or carpooling? Looking for more ways to save money while being productive? Vanpools are looking to add riders to routes serving all directions from JMU and possibly one for you starting in Charlottesville and serving numerous towns and cities including Batesville, Afton, Waynesboro, Fishersville, Staunton, Verona, and Bridgewater on the way to JMU.

What is a vanpool? Much like a carpool, a vanpool is a group of six or more faculty and staff that join together to share the costs associated with leasing and operating a van, which will be provided by Enterprise. What are the benefits? Save money, reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, potentially turn in your parking pass, lower your income taxes with a pre-tax deduction, work/relax, and have the ability to take advantage of the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program which will provide you with free trips home using a taxi or rental car in case of an emergency – a service which you may use up to 5 times per year.

How much can you save?  The savings per month for a vanpooler is estimated in the table below. The savings increase with longer distances, larger vans (more passengers), and increasing gas prices.

JMU is hosting a couple of open house sessions with other vanpoolers in your area to provide an overview and help you become acquainted with your potential riders. In addition, we’ll be signing up faculty and staff for the Guaranteed Ride Home program; if you carpool, vanpool, bike, or walk, you’re eligible to sign up at no cost for free emergency rides home (over 50 staff/faculty have already signed up!) Please join us at any time during the following Open House sessions:

• Tuesday, February 24 – Festival Allegheny Room, 11:30 – 1:00
• Tuesday, February 24 – Festival  Highlands Room, 4:00 – 6:00
• Wednesday, February 25 – Festival Allegheny Room, 2:00 – 4:00

Please feel free to drop in to discuss your personal transportation needs and to see how you might fit into a vanpool or be able to use the GRH program.  An Enterprise van will be parked outside Festival so you can take a look at it.

If you’re unable to attend these meetings but are still interested, please contact Lee Eshelman at 540-568-4522 or eshelmll@jmu.edu. I hope to see you at one of the open houses.

Lee Eshelman
JMU Transportation Demand Manager