As traffic congestion and the financial and environmental costs of commuting continue to rise, a once overlooked transit alternative has quietly become an effective option for many motorists: vanpooling.

Sharing a commute through a vanpool:

• Reduces parking and fuel costs
• Allows access to HOV lanes
• Consumes fewer resources
• Is cheaper, more flexible and faster than other mass transit choices

Regional growth projections and travel patterns show there is a large undeveloped market in vanpool demand. Yet, expanding vanpools is typically not a priority as other, more inefficient transit modes are marketed and funded. Vanpools are not for everyone and they cannot effectively serve short, intra-city transit demand. Ridership figures, costs and market potential in the Puget Sound region however, show that vanpools are a successful and more efficient way to move long-distance, intercity commuters.

Instead of spending more public money to connect cities with high speed rail, commuter rail, light rail and express bus services, policymakers should look to vanpools as the most efficient alternative.

Read the full Policy Note here