Victor Valley Transit Authority’s Vanpool Program surpasses 200 vanpools after just two years in operation. That means that more than 1,400 riders vanpool from or to the High Desert communities of Hesperia, Victorville, Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow and surrounding areas each day.
These communities are situated along the I-15 freeway, one of the most heavily traveled highways in Southern California. Area commuters travel south through the Cajon Pass to work in the metro areas of San Bernardino County, and as far north as Ft. Irwin National Training Center, outside of Barstow.
VVTA vanpools make it easier for groups of five or more individuals to share the commute to and from work. Employers or individuals organize riders and lease vehicles through an approved program contractor. VVTA works with Enterprise Leasing Agency.
Vanpool participants then share the cost of the lease, fuel, maintenance and upkeep. Each qualifying vanpool earns a subsidy of up to $400 per month, provided it meets minimum requirements like a round-trip distance of at least 30 miles. Many vanpools end up costing as little as $30 per month, per rider after the subsidy.
There are a host of benefits for employees, their employers, and even the planet. Riders save time by using designated commuter lanes, save money on fuel, and show up to work relaxed. Employers get workers who are stress-free and ready to start the day in a more productive fashion. Local freeways see congestion relief, and the carbon footprints that impact the environment grow smaller. More than 200 vanpools on the road mean 1,200 fewer cars with individual drivers hit the road each day.
