Keeping Your Vanpool Healthy

Approved Drivers

To be approved to drive a Commute vehicle, certain criteria must be met to promote the safety of both the passengers and the vehicle. As the Coordinator, you must make certain that only authorized drivers are operating your Commute vehicle.We recommend having multiple approved drivers, so that you can still commute when someone is sick or on vacation. When a driver is approved, we’ll email you. Or you can always check your online roster.

Coordinator Switch

If you are no longer able to serve as the Coordinator of your commute, contact your local account team as quickly as possible. We can help identify a replacement if you haven’t done so already. Changing coordinators can take a few days, so please plan ahead if you can.

Etiquette

Below are a few tips to get your crew organized and ready to ride together:

• Decide who will drive. We recommend multiple people apply to be a driver, so that they can take turns and cover for each other when sick, on vacation, etc. Create a schedule to keep it clear and fair.
• Choose a time and central place to meet. Look for a lot that’s well-lit and in a safe location and agree on how long the group will wait if someone is late. If your driver plans to pick up passengers on the way, decide on the order ahead of time.
• Set up a communication plan. Decide on the preferred communication style - like phone, text or email - and contact the driver or coordinator in advance if your plans change. It’s also a good idea to set up a calendar, so your crew is aware of vacation, personal leave or overtime plans.
• Be courteous. Arrive on time, and set expectations with your group about wait times, music preferences, etc. Remember, smoking is not allowed in the vehicle. And if you choose to leave the Commute for whatever reason, give your crew 30 days notice so they can make alternate arrangements. A commute is truly a team effort, and communication and respect are key to making it successful.
  
• Pledge to clean your vehicle every day. Make your crew's wellbeing a priority by setting up a vehicle care plan. Get started with our best practice checklist.

Filling Empty Seats

Lower the cost of your Commute by filling empty seats. Here’s a few suggestions for recruiting riders:

• Talk to coworkers or your worksite’s transportation coordinator
• Post your Commute details on a break-room bulletin board
• Request support from your local account team

Adding riders not only saves you money but also increases the impact your vanpool makes on the environment!

Roster Maintenance

Keep your vanpool roster current so we can:

• Display the most accurate data on your dashboard
• Help you find riders to fill newly vacated seats
• Protect your subsidy (in some markets, rosters impact this!)
• Streamline your NTD reporting (if your vanpool is required to record trips through our website or mobile app)