(Philadelphia, PA) – The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s (DVRPC) Share-A-Ride ridematch service offers an easy way for commuters and employers to participate in a new vanpool incentive program, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The new statewide grant initiative, called the Pennsylvania Vanpool Incentive Program, or PVIP, provides an economic incentive to create new vanpools by subsidizing vanpool rider fees.
Share-A-Ride (SAR) is a quick, easy and free way for commuters working in southeastern Pennsylvania to connect via specialized software with other commuters interested in sharing the ride to work, usually in either a carpool or vanpool. This ridematch program makes it easier to find the five or more people needed to share a grant-enabled van. SAR can also recommend convenient transit options.
The DVRPC-administered Mobility Alternatives Program (MAP) can also help employers in the region connect with local Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) that can assist with matching employees and establishing car and vanpool groups. Sharing a ride to work has been shown to reduce absenteeism, improve on-time arrivals, and even enhance productivity. It can also cut down on costs associated with parking, because an employer needs fewer spaces to build or lease, maintain, and insure.
“This program (PVIP) shows the Commonwealth’s focus on supporting not only quality businesses that create jobs, but also the people who need to travel to those jobs,” PennDOT Secretary and DVRPC Board member Leslie S. Richards said.
After receiving grant applications, PennDOT executed agreements with PENRAC (d.b.a. Enterprise), and the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) to provide vehicles and service for new vanpools that qualify for this incentive. The PVIP grant awarded to Enterprise can help to create up to 100 vanpools, while CATA is funded to support up to 11 new vanpools with origins or destinations in or near State College.
To qualify for the program, riders must be part of a new vanpool group. (Current vanpool groups are not eligible.) Each new vanpool must maintain 60 percent occupancy for all three years of the subsidy. Vehicles provided can accommodate groups in a variety of sizes, from seven to a maximum of 15 passengers. Approved vanpools will be offered up to$800 each per month, based on van size (capacity); the subsidy is decreased and phased out over three years from the start of the vanpool. ADA-accessible vanpools are eligible for a monthly subsidy up to $1,200 per vehicle, and may be able to receive an ongoing $400-per-month subsidy after the third year. To ensure regular participation, vanpool riders pay a minimum of $25 per month, although monthly costs will likely be higher.
“Our Share-A-Ride and MAP programs can help employees and employers take advantage of this opportunity to reduce commuting costs,” said Barry Seymour, DVRPC’s Executive Director. “Part of the Commission’s vision is to increase mobility choices in our region and improve access to employment centers through a connected and reliable transportation system. Working with our partner PennDOT on an effort like PVIP, we can help commuters connect, and help make their vanpools more viable for the long term.”
For more information on Share-A-Ride and MAP, go to: www.dvrpc.org/mobiltyalternatives or call 215-895-1800 and ask for Commuter Services.
For more information on PVIP, contact Colton Brown, PennDOT program manager, at 717-787-1203 or Press Secretary Erin Waters-Trasatt at 717-783-8800.
For more information on TMAs in Southeastern PA visit https://www.dvrpc.org/MobilityAlternatives/Contacts/
About DVRPC
DVRPC is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for a diverse nine-county region in two states: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer in New Jersey.
DVRPC’s vision for the Greater Philadelphia Region is a prosperous, innovative, equitable, resilient, and sustainable region that increases mobility choices by investing in a safe and modern transportation system; that protects and preserves our natural resources while creating healthy communities; and that fosters greater opportunities for all.
DVRPC’s mission is to achieve this vision by convening the widest array of partners to inform and facilitate data-driven decision-making. We are engaged across the region, and strive to be leaders and innovators, exploring new ideas and creating best practices.
