CTAA Vanpool Webinar (March 23, 2010)

Shamus MisekWashington Department of

Transportation

Vanpool Related Experience

• Developed, Implemented & Managed Pace Vanpool Incentive Program (1990-2001)

• Manager, Research Transportation Programs University of Illinois, Chicago (2001-2008)

• Rideshare Program Manager, WSDOT (2009-Present)

Washington State Vanpools

• First Public Vanpool in Operation (Commuter Pool (1979)

• State Vanpool Investment Program (VIP)– 10 Year $30 million capital program– Goal – 3,200 vanpools in operation by 2013

Washington State Vanpools (cont)

• 2009-2011 Biennium Budget for Vanpooling* $7 million* Capital expenditure & incentives to expand

vanpooling

• To Date (Through January, 2010)* Vanpools in operation statewide: 2,560* Average occupancy/van: 8.3

Washington State Vanpools (cont)

• 20 Transit Agencies Operate Vanpool Programs

• Smallest – Valley Transit– 3 Vanpools in Operation

• Largest King County Metro– 950 Vanpools in Operation– 150 Vanshares

Key Considerations

• Is It Marketable?• Is It Transit?• Is It Cost Effective?• Can It Be Integrated With Other Transit

Offerings?• Can It Meet Title VI Regulations and NTD

Reporting Requirements?

Funding/Financing Sources Options

• Local Transit Agency Funding (Sales tax, gas tax, etc.)

• Federal Funding (ISTEA, CMAQ, JARC, New Freedom, Stimulus (capital), FTA-UZA Formula Funds)

• State Funding (Capital Purchase, Operations)

Funding/Financing Sources (cont)

• Capital Cost of Contracting (5307 , 5311, or sections of 5313 (b), 5310 )

• Toll Revenue Credits (Use as Match)

• Advertising Revenue

Operational Considerations

• Internal (In-House)• External (Turnkey)

* 3rd party private operator (e.g. VPSI or Enterprise)

• Hybrid (Internal with External)* Internal with outside vendor provided support

Non - Traditional Approaches to Vanpool Program Management

• Vehicle Procurement, Fleet Maintenance & Management Handled By A Private Fleet Leasing/Management Firm

• Van Procurement Bid Award Based on $$ Over/Under Manufacturer Invoice

• Each Rider Receives a Monthly Fare Invoice

Non - Traditional Approaches to Vanpool Program Management (cont)

• Bill Riders Directly (Internally or Utilize An Outside Vendor)

• Administer It Like Other Transit Services (Passes, Electronic

• Payments – Credit/Debit Card, Payroll Deduction, Etc.)

• Oversight & Control – Establish/Set Rider Fares, Approve Van Routes, Etc.

Program Management Related

• Fleet Management Company– Handles Van Maintenance, Billing, Van Repair Cost & Info Data Entry &

Tracking– Assists Drivers with all (Scheduled/Non-Scheduled) Van Repairs– Coupon Booklets for Van PMs– Handles Emergency Roadside Assistance– Van Procurements– Accident & Subrogation Management– Tax Exempt Fuel Cards– Tax Exempt Maintenance Purchases– Rental Car/Taxi/Limo Arrangements– Personal Computer Information System (Vanpool Fleet Maintenance Tracking)

• Van Drive-Away Service to Deliver Loaner Vans

Primary Driver Program Feature Considerations

• Allow Driver to Purchase Van at Discounted Price at End of Van’s Useful Life

• Annual Driver Award Brunch– Honors all Primary Drivers for Their Efforts– Safe Driving Awards– Primary/Back-Up Driver of the Year Award

• Driver Personal Miles Related– 300 miles/month plus 100 buffer miles/month– Personal miles can be banked up to 500 miles– 300 bonus miles given at start-of new year

Primary Driver Related Program Feature Considerations (cont)

• Pays no Fare• No Responsibility to Collect Fares from Riders• Comprehensive Support Program

– Insurance– Fuel/Maintenance Cards– Emergency Roadside Assistance– Accident Management– Spare/Loaner Vans– Van Drive Away Service– Annual Van Wash Cards– Tollway Cards/I-Pass Units– Car Rental Service

Rider Related Program Feature Considerations

• Invoice Riders on a Monthly Basis• Rider Receives a Monthly Vanpool Pass• Annual Rider Fare Discount• Ability to Purchase Discounted Transit Pass• Flexible Monthly Payment Options– Payroll Deduction– Debit/Credit Card Payment Option– Electronic Payment Options

Program Feature Considerations

• Emergency/Guaranteed Ride Home Program• Bookkeeper (Reward them for doing a good job)• Bi-Monthly/Quarterly Newsletters to Vanpool

Participant Community• Early Vanpool Starts

Program Fare Related Feature Considerations

• Varying Recovery Rates/Rider/Van• Rider Fare Category Related

• Individual Based (4, 5, 6 … etc.)• Combination Based (4-5, 6-7, … etc.)

• Reduces Fare Volatility

• Allow/Encourage Employers to Subsidize • Rider Fares• Empty Seats

• Maintain Rider Fare Stability• Meet/Maintain Established Minimum Rider/Van Requirement

Vanpool Van Related

• Minivans (5 Passengers plus Driver)• Conversion Vans (10 Passengers plus Driver)

– Captain Chairs– Running Boards– Each Seat Has Its Own A/C, Heat and Reading Lights – Window Blinds

• Maxivans (15 Passengers plus Driver)• After Market Equipment Added to Vans

– Telematics– Fire Extinguishers– Safety Triangle Kits – First Aid Kits– Back-Up Beepers– Cut-Off Switches

Measure/Determine Success and Address Customer Concerns/Needs

• Utilize Various Feedback Tools• Conduct Participant Surveys

• Riders• Drivers

• Conduct Participant Exit Surveys• Conduct Amenities Surveys• “Air It Out” Postcards Available on Van

How To Be Successful?

• Once Your “Core “ Program is Operational Remember to be:• Be Flexible

• Listen to Your Customer(s)

• Be Creative

• Be Responsive

Other Vanpool Service Related Applications

• Traditional• Subscription Shuttle/Feeder Services• Employer• Not-For-Profit

• Welfare-to-Work• Homeless to Work• Non-Emergency Medical

• ADvAntage

Contact Info

Shamus MisekRideshare Program ManagerWSDOTPublic Transportation DivisionP. O. Box 47387Olympia, WA 985004-7387miseks@wsdot.wa.gov(360) 705-7346