Vanpooling FAQs
What is vanpooling?
A vanpool is a group of eight to 13 people who regularly commute together by leasing a van on a month-to-month basis through VPSI, Inc., the vanpool contractor for the Municipality of Anchorage. Volunteer drivers pick up riders at specific points, drop them off at or near their worksite, and return them to their pickup points at the end of each work day.
There is one primary driver and at least two other back-up drivers for each van. The primary driver rides for free.
The monthly vanpool fare covers all fuel, operating, maintenance and insurance costs, which are divided equally among the riders in exchange for a guaranteed seat.
Anchorage Share-A-Ride requires that all Anchorage vanpools begin or end within the Municipality of Anchorage commute with a minimum of 8 people.
Alaska Share-A-Van, the regional vanpool program established in December 2009 between Anchorage Share-A-Ride and the Matanuska Susitna-Borough (MSB), encourages MSB only commutes within a minimum of 8 people to start a group.
What are the responsibilities of the primary vanpool driver?
The primary driver is responsible for:
- maintaining accurate daily log sheets
- refueling the vehicle
- cleaning the interior and exterior of the vehicle
- scheduling maintenance service on time
- collecting fares from riders and submitting them to VPSI, Inc. with monthly log sheets
- notifying Share-A-Ride of any changes in ridership, route, schedule, or requesting assistance to fill vacancies.
In exchange for such responsibilities, the primary driver commutes for free, is allowed up to 200 personal use miles per month and parks the van at their residence.
View the Driver Guide
How much money can I save by sharing the commute?
Quite a bit. Our Driving Cost Calculator can help you determine how much money you could save by carpooling, vanpooling or riding the bus instead of driving a single occupant vehicle.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average cost of owning and operating a medium-sized automobile, traveling an average of 15,000 miles per year is 55.2 cents per mile. For a 40-mile round-trip commute this comes to $22.08 per day, $463.68 per month and $5,564.16 per year, based on commuting 21 days per month.
This figure is based on estimates provided by the AAA publication, “Your Driving Costs 2011.” AAA compiles its estimate by averaging fuel, routine maintenance, tires, insurance, license and registration, loan finance charges and depreciation costs for a medium size automobile that is driven 15,000 miles per year. Tolls and parking fees are additional and exclude loan payments. Fuel prices are based on a late 2007 national average gas price of $2.941 per gallon. AAA has conducted this annual analysis since 1950. That year, driving a car 10,000 miles annually cost 9 cents a mile, and gasoline sold for a mere 27 cents per gallon.
How do I get into a vanpool?
It's simple! All you have to do is register online, call 562-7665 or e-mail your request to Anchorage Share-A-Ride. Ridematching is free and confidential. You provide your home and work addresses, work hours and a contact phone number. Share-A-Ride will send you a matchlist of vanpools that are currently operating that best match with your information. These vanpooling tips can help in your ridesharing success.
Is my information private?
Yes. We respect your privacy and will not distribute your information without your permission, except in response to verified requests from law enforcement or emergency services.
Who can I contact about vanpooling?
Anchorage Share-A-Ride
Jesse Ferman, Vanpool Coordinator
(907) 343-8497
FermanJL@muni.org
Sandy Clark, Vanpool Contract Administrator
(907) 343-8435
ClarkSK@muni.org
Paula Kangis, Share-A-Ride/Marketing Manager
(907) 343-8491
KangisPJ@muni.org
VPSI, Inc.
Crissy Ditmore, VPSI Project Manager
(907) 264-6732
Crissy.Ditmore@vpsiinc.com
Debi Stone, VPSI Account Coordinator
(907) 264-6732
Debi.Stone@vpsiinc.com
How many people are needed to start a vanpool?
To start a vanpool there must be at least eight riders for the 13-passenger van. This number includes one primary driver and two back-up drivers.
What routes do the current vanpools take?
Current vanpools travel primarily from the Mat-Su Valley into Anchorage or from Anchorage to Girdwood. Share-A-Ride groups vanpools by general area. Click on a location below to view the vans traveling in that area.
Bases
Downtown Anchorage
East Anchorage
Girdwood
Midtown Anchorage
South Anchorage
How can a person join an existing vanpool?
You may join an existing van if:
- There is space available in the van.
- There is no one on the vanpool active listing for the specific van's route and schedule.
- The vanpool group agrees to add you as an additional rider. This is particularly important if you would like the van to make an additional stop. Doing so increases the commute time. Each vanpool group has the ability to accept or deny a new vanpool rider if an extra stop is required.
To join an existing vanpool simply register online and fax a 3-Way Vanpool Ridership Form to Anchorage Share-A-Ride at (907) 249-7329. The new rider can begin riding in the van, after they have been contacted by the Share-A-Ride office with authorization.
What is the 3-Way Vanpool Ridership Form?
The form has several uses, including registering in the Share-A-Ride program, applying to ride in a specific vanpool or giving notice to leave a vanpool. One of the three boxes should be checked, signature included and faxed to (907) 249-7329.
A commuter cannot begin riding in a van until the 3-Way Vanpool Ridership Form has been completed, submitted to Anchorage Share-A-Ride and been contacted with authorization.
3-Way Vanpool Ridership Form
- Registration: Check this box when you want to register in our program and be matched with other commuters.
- Application to Ride in a Vanpool: Check this box when you have already registered in the Share-A-Ride program and you have been authorized to join a vanpool.
- Notice to Leave Pool: Check this box if you are unable to continue riding in a vanpool. All riders must provide 30 days notice prior to the actual date they will discontinue riding in the van.
How long of a commitment is required to join a vanpool?
Vanpools are set up on a month-to-month basis. If you decide at any point that you would like to discontinue riding in a vanpool, simply submit a 3-Way Vanpool Ridership Form with 30 days notice, signed by yourself and the vanpool coordinator to Anchorage Share-A-Ride.
What happens if a rider drops out of a vanpool?
All vanpool vacancies must first be filled from our vanpool active listing. You may call Anchorage Share-A-Ride at 562-7665 to obtain a list of commuters who match your van's route and work times.
Vanpoolers are encouraged to promote the program by talking with co-workers, neighbors and friends about it.
What is a vanpool active listing?
A vanpool active listing is a list of commuters who have registered in our program and want to join a vanpool.
If there are no vacancies in an existing van or if there are no vans that go near your work location at your scheduled time, your name will be placed on our vanpool active listing.
When a vacancy becomes available, names are taken from the active listing in the order they were added and given to the vanpool coordinator.
Can I set up a vanpool for non-work trips?
No. The Share-A-Ride vanpool program is exclusively for commuting to and from work, with each trip either 1) beginning or ending within the Municipality of Anchorage, or 2) beginning and ending within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
What kind of vehicle is provided?
Share-A-Ride vans accommodate one driver and 12 passengers. Each maxi-van is equipped with an automatic transmission, individual overhead reading lights, reclining high-back seating (like those used on airlines), a first aid kit, and studded tires for winter driving.
Where do the vanpool vehicles come from?
Anchorage Share-A-Ride vanpool vehicles are purchased through Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration grants that require up to 20% in local matching. These grants require all trips must either begin or end in Anchorage.
Alaska Share-A-Van's vehicles were purchased through a Federal Transit Administration grant and a Matanuska-Susitna Borough capital grant match.
What does the monthly vanpool fare include?
The monthly fare covers all fuel, operating, maintenance and insurance costs, which are divided equally among the riders in exchange for a guaranteed seat.
What kind of insurance does the van have?
Each van is insured with liability and comprehensive insurance.
Where do we board the van?
When the vanpool is formed each group determines the van schedule, as well as pick-up and drop-off points, most normally have one or two. These locations are frequently at park 'n' ride lots or retail parking lots, where cars can be left during the day. Groups are to obtain approval from the property owner/manager if they choose to meet at a retail or business location, to ensure it is ok to do so if not already an approved lot.
How do we fuel the vans?
Share-A-Ride vans have the ability to use Fleet One credit cards provided by the Municipality of Anchorage. This allows gas to be purchased without paying any taxes and helps keep fuel costs as low as possible.
Are there any restrictions on where a vanpool can begin or end?
Anchorage Share-A-Ride vanpools must either begin or end within the Municipality of Anchorage. Alaska Share-A-Van commute trips must begin and end within the Mat-Su Borough. Vanpool riders work together to determine the specifics of the route, including pick-up points and drop-off locations.
Can I try out a vanpool to see if it's a good fit before making a commitment?
Through Share-A-Ride's Try-A-Ride program, a commuter can ride in a vanpool up to three times at no cost to see if a particular vanpool is a good match for them. For more information, click here.
What if I have an emergency and need to get home before my group's ready?
Through Share-A-Ride's Emergency Ride Home program, vanpool participants are afforded a reliable ride home up to twice a year for qualified emergencies. For further information on the Emergency Ride Home program, click here.
Who’s in charge of van operations and maintenance?
The Municipality of Anchorage contracts with VPSI, Inc. to oversee the vanpool fleet operations and maintenance.
Crissy Ditmore, VPSI Project Manager
(907) 264-6732
Crissy.Ditmore@vpsiinc.com
Debi Stone, VPSI Account Coordinator
(907) 264-6732
Debi.Stone@vpsiinc.com