Travel Information Bulletin
October 2002

Vanpooling Gets a Boost in the Region: - A Boon to I-287 Corridor Commuters!

The ongoing effort to help divert Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOVs) traveling primarily during peak times in peak directions, on Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Putnam County Roads that have effect on the I-287 Corridor, is going to receive a vital boost.  The New York State Department of Transportation has contracted with Metropool, Inc. to establish a van-pool and train/bus shuttle program that will attract a significant number of commuters resulting in improved mobility in and around the I-287 Corridor.  The project was initiated by Westchester County at the Governor’s task force on I-287.

A project launch event for the Vanpool Demonstration Project is scheduled for October 23, 2002.  Elected officials from Albany and the four Counties are expected to grace the event and participate in the unveiling of the vans.

To meet the varying needs of commuters and to encourage van usage among a wide spectrum of potential riders, the program will offer a combination of full-size and mini-vans.  The project offerings will include Commuter Van Pools, Employer van Pools, Leased Shuttles and Job Access shuttles to accommodate off-hour shift workers not adequately served by public transit.

Seat fares will be all-inclusive; covering all costs associated with the van, including maintenance and servicing, gasoline, tolls, insurance, etc.  The project consultant will be completely in-charge of driver selection for each van, driver training, emergency ride program to support the van-pools, customer support hot-line and the actual van-pool formation.  A customer-centered website will soon be developed to provide one-stop access to project information and additional utility for riders.  The site will be integrated with and linked to other commuter websites serving the Hudson Valley.

A special boon to this project is its integration with the Commuter Choice Pre-Tax Program, known in Westchester County as $Commute-n-Save$.  The Commuter Choice Pre-Tax Program provides a significant opportunity to reduce the cost of van-pooling and rider-paid shuttles. It is therefore expected that employer worksites will participate in promoting and enhancing the implementation of this program.  The program is structured to allow for a direct pay system, whereby employers do a simple payroll adjustment for their employees to deduct monthly fare and forward payment through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to Operations.

To participate in the van-pool program, or for more detailed information, please contact Butch Veronesi at (914) 993-6474 or e-mail at bveronesi@metropool.com . 

As always, for more information and for any of your commute needs, please call Westchester’s SMART COMMUTE Program at (914) 995-4444, or e-mail us at tvo1@westchestergov.com

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