CTAA Vanpool Webinar (March 23, 2010) Shamus Misek Washington Department of Transportation

Vanpool Related Experience Developed, Implemented & Managed Pace Vanpool Incentive Program ( ) Manager, Research Transportation Programs University of Illinois, Chicago ( ) 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) 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) *3 rd 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 Misek Rideshare Program Manager WSDOT Public Transportation Division P. O. Box Olympia, WA (360)