Sharing the Ride, Saving the Wallet

The new El Paso County Vámonos Vanpool Program, launched in March, gives Community residents an alternative way to commute to work. The program's main purpose is to help out with soaring gas prices, reduce traffic congestion and emissions and offer alternative transportation.
"We are able to offer this program to all El Paso County residents through a federal grant. It is an excellent solution for considerable savings at the pump," said Judith Flood, Program Manager.
The van pools are administered by VPSI, Inc., a Michigan company that provides the vehicles, insurance and maintenance service for vanpools in the United States and the Netherlands.
To take advantage of the vanpool, simply gather a group of between five and fourteen commuters to share a van. The group designates a primary volunteer driver from within the group, who will collect a predetermined monthly fee from the passengers.
Flood said that it is very simple to participate in the program. "If additional riders are needed to complete a group, we access the company's local online database for existing vanpools they may join or for riders to complete their group."
Currently, there are 5 Vámonos vans already on the road here in El Paso County and the program manager is expecting 7 more vans for groups forming through the summer.
The program offers from 7-passenger minivans to 12 or 15-passenger customized vans. Flood said transportation costs account for 18 percent or more of the average American household's income; however, an average van pool passenger can save up to $5,000 in commuting costs per year, compared to the cost of driving alone.
In addition to cost savings, Vámonos Vans are a simple way to reduce your personal carbon footprint. Nationally, it is estimated that in one year, each 15-passenger vanpool will conserve more than 300,000 commuter miles, 13,000 gallons of fuel, save passengers more than $40,000 gas dollars and reduce the CO2 emissions by 36 tons.
The impact in a year is equivalent to restoring 6.2 acres of pine forest. To schedule a presentation of the program, please contact Judith Flood at (915) 351-2042 or visit our website at www.vanride.com