Vanpool Incentive Program

Transcription

1 Vanpool Incentive Program Annual Report Pima Association of Governments Travel Reduction Program November 2006

2 gional Vanpool Vanpool Incentive Incentive Program Program Regional Vanpool Incentive Program Vanpooling is an economical, convenient and environmentally friendly alternative to driving alone. For a typical vanpool, employees with similar schedules who live and work near one another share the ride to and from work on a regular basis. Often subsidized by employers or otherwise made available to employees at a reasonable monthly fee, the vanpool helps reduce the rider s own costs for fuel, insurance, maintenance and similar expenses while also providing more usable or relaxing time during the ride. For employers, a vanpool may improve morale, reduce absenteeism and tardiness, provide tax benefits or offer positive public recognition as a community-minded business and workplace. For the community, vanpools help reduce traffic congestion and potentially harmful vehicle emissions. PAG s regional Vanpool Incentive Program (VIP) assists with the formation and funding of vanpools at Pima County companies that participate in PAG s Travel Reduction Program (TRP). A subsidy of $400 per month per van is available for a qualified van of seven to 15 passengers operating for a period of at least 12 months. By the end of fiscal year 2006, PAG helped fund 17 vanpools, serving 155 riders with an average daily roundtrip commute of 102 miles. Estimated savings were $311,858 in fuel costs, 24,076 pounds of pollution and 155 parking spaces. As historically high gasoline prices are expected to rise even further, interest in the program is likely to increase. Early Vanpool Planning When PAG s Travel Reduction Program (TRP) began in 1989, vanpools were among the strategies discussed for reducing travel throughout the region. Several factors, however, kept vanpools from serious consideration, including lack of funding, limited van providers in the region and a relatively low home-towork trip length. In 1990, Hughes Aircraft Co. became the first TRP employer in the region to institute a vanpool. The van was furnished by VPSI, a third-party van provider, and Hughes provided a subsidy to help offset the cost of the van to its employees. This vanpool was in operation for approximately 5 years but was discontinued due to loss of subsidy funding. A Regional Pilot Project In 1997, Raytheon Missile Systems Co. (RMSC) took over Hughes Aircraft and initiated new discussions with TRP staff to identify their employees travel needs. This led to PAG s establishment of a Vanpool Incentive Pilot project designed to encourage vanpools among employees of TRP companies through PAG s sponsorship of a limited $20 per seat subsidy for the first three months of each vanpool. The first phase of the pilot program was to cover a six-month period with a total maximum funding level of $30,000. PAG asked for proposals to provide the service from various third-party van providers, resulting in one proposal received within the allotted time frame. This proposal, from Enterprise Rent-A-Car (ERAC), was ultimately accepted and in March 2002, a Contributor Van Rental Agreement was executed for ERAC to provide the necessary vans, along with a scheduled maintenance program and full insurance. The first vanpool as part of the pilot project was started in September 2002 with Raytheon Missile Systems.

3 VIP Guidelines VIP riders must: VIP Impact and Savings The table included here estimates the impact of the regional VIP program in terms of savings in miles traveled, gasoline, funding, pollution, parking spaces and parking costs. The program may produce even greater cost savings associated with reduced congestion and savings to the rider such as reduced vehicle maintenance/insurance costs and the value of additional time not spent driving. Rider testimonials show overwhelming support for the program. The funding level for the program for fiscal year was $91,200. Increased funding in fiscal year of $100,800 will allow for the creation of an additional 4 vanpools. Revenue sources include funding from the Federal Transit Agency and Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Program. n Work at a TRP major employer work site n Ride at least 3 days per week n Complete the required paperwork with PAG and ERAC n Provide one-way mileage for the home-to-work commute n Register with RideShare s guaranteed ride home program Monthly costs to the rider are determined by the size of the van, miles driven, fuel costs, number of riders and any subsidy provided by the TRP employer. Monthly costs are divided among the van riders. Take the V.I.P. way to work. VIP SUMMARY ANNUAL SAVINGS (Based on van start month ending June 2006) EMPLOYER / # OF VANS MILES GASOLINE DOLLARS POLLUTION PARKING SPACES PARKING SPACES SAVED SAVED SAVED SAVED SAVED COSTS SAVED* Federal Correctional Complex / 4 Vans 100,560 5,028 $37, , $6, Indian Health Services-Sells / 9 Vans 584,400 29,160 $215, , $18, Raytheon Missile Systems / 2 Vans 112,920 5,646 $41, , $6, Town of Marana / 1 Van 19, $7, $1, Ventana Medical Systems / 1 Van 26,760 1,338 $9, $2, TOTAL SAVINGS: 844,080 42,144 $311, , $34, Average daily roundtrip commute: (15,832 daily roundtrip miles / 155 riders) Average daily ridership: 9.1 (155 riders / 17 vanpools) * $ per parking space - Virginia Transport Policy Institute 5/2002 Indian Health Services sells service unit, Peter Ziegler I have found the vanpool to be a significant quality improvement in my workday routine. As one who commutes 75 miles one way to my workplace, the vanpool offers me not only a significant cost savings but also allows me to use the commute time as needed for reading, completing work on my computer, or relaxing along a scenic ride. As the Clinical Director at the Sells Service Unit, I have seen how the vanpool provides a significant advantage in the recruitment of employees to a remote site where commute distance has historically been a barrier. I thank you for this invaluable resource that saves time, money and natural resources! Federal Correctional Complex, Donna Elliott Vanpooling is a great way to save money on gas and vehicle maintenance. It s also less stressful letting someone else do the driving and fosters communication between co-workers. I really enjoy riding in the vanpool. Federal Correctional Complex, John Byler With 4 vans and 28 participants, the vanpool program at FCI Tucson has been very successful. It s been very popular with our employees, especially since gas prices have soared to record highs. We have more employees expressing an interest in vanpooling every day and hope to add additional vans in the near future.

4 Regional Regional Vanpool Vanpool Incentive Incentive Progr Prog Current Vanpools The 17 vans currently operating under the VIP include the following. All employer or federal subsidies are provided in addition to the PAG subsidy. Raytheon Missile Systems, two 15- passenger vans. Raytheon provides a $500 per van subsidy. Each rider pays approximately $30 per month. One van started in September 2002 and the other started in June Indian Health Services (IHS) Sells, 9 vans. These range from 8-passenger to 12-passenger and 15-passenger vans. The federal government provides a monthly per person subsidy up to $105. Each rider pays approximately $20 per month. The first van started in August Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), four 12-passenger vans. The federal government provides a monthly per person subsidy up to $105. Each rider pays approximately $20 per month. The first van started in June Town of Marana, one 12-passenger van. The Town of Marana provides a monthly subsidy of $30 per person. Each rider pays approximately $50 per month. The first van started in November Ventana Medical Systems, one 12- passenger van. Ventana provides a monthly subsidy of $50 per person. Each rider pays approximately $50 per month. The first van started in December Raytheon Missile Systems, LindaAnn Lo Cicero I d like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation for PAG sponsorship of the Raytheon vanpool. Since I live in the northwest part of Tucson, some of the benefits I personally derive by taking the vanpool are the reduced mileage on my older vehicle, and reduced expenditures on fuel, maintenance and insurance. Taking the vanpool during the winter is also a safety factor as well due to the lack of sunlight during the time I would be driving to work. I have met fellow Raytheon employees who live in my part of town. The community also benefits from reduced vehicles on the road, thereby reducing pollution and traffic. I see the vanpool as a win-win situation for myself, the City of Tucson and Pima County. Once again, thank you to PAG for your sponsorship and the opportunity to participate in the vanpool. Growth of the Program PAG s Vanpool Incentive Program (VIP) has become a valued component of meeting regional travel demand, particularly in response to continuous population growth and rising commuting costs. Since the conclusion of the pilot project in 2002, detailed guidelines have been put in place that include additional requirements for VIP riders. In response to requests from TRP employers to increase the subsidy to help offset costs, PAG approved a $400 monthly subsidy per van and has gradually increased overall funding levels to accommodate requests for additional vans. Subsidies are available for a qualified van of seven to 15 passengers operating for a period of at least 12 months. As of July 2006, there were 17 vans within the region operating under the VIP. Many TRP employers continue to show interest in the VIP. Over 60 TRP employer events have promoted the program and numerous presentations have been made to management at interested TRP companies. Raytheon Missile Systems, Stephanie Lee Town of Marana VanPool I have been riding and driving in one of the northwest vanpools since it began over three years ago. Personally, what I have gained from the vanpool has been new friendships and contacts. You also gain insight into fellow vanpooler s job functions, and find out how all of our jobs in different areas overlap into the final product. It s amazing how we have been able to help each other in our individual jobs by pooling mental resources and varied skills during the time spent in the vanpool. It s also great to save time, money and experience less stress on the commute to work.

5 Indian Health Services sells service unit, Peter Ziegler Indian Health Services sells service unit, Rae Matlock Having the vanpool to work has been a welcome addition to the benefits of working here in Sells, Ariz. The commute is prohibitive over the long haul. I hear from new employees that have joined the vanpool that they made the decision to come to work here because we have a vanpool program. It is helping with retention because the time spent on the road is now not as stressful and the word is getting out that the vanpools can save employees money. Everyday I hear many conversations and laughing among my follow riders, indicating that they are having a good time. As the travel coordinator for the Sells vanpools, I am so pleased that in one year s time, we have grown to a group of 85 with 6 vans. Each employee saves about $3,000 per year in gas expenses (how s that for a raise) not to mention wear and tear on the car. Collectively, we are driving over 3 million miles less and saving our precious desert environment. We have removed over 44,000 car trips a year from the highway to Sells. As one rider put it, we just might have saved a few lives. Indian Health Services sells service unit, Mary Ann Delgado My work efforts and work environment have become a world of ease and acceptance. I feel like not only has the vanpool eliminated some of the congestion on Highway 86, but surely has made a contribution to the issue of pollution in our environment. I have worked at Sells for 12 years and Rae, you have done many of us a great wonder by getting the vanpool up and going, considering the several obstacles you had to justify. I can t say enough to express my thanks for all your work. Thank you Rae!

6 Federal Correctional Complex, David Clifford As a vanpool member, I save $150 a month in fuel costs, and reduced my driving stress and mileage on my vehicle. Although I have added approximately 15 additional minutes a day to my commute time, it has been well worth it due to the savings. Raytheon Missile Systems, John Ravenscroft My thoughts on the vanpool are that it is working out just fine. The cost remains low and very reasonable. As a primary driver in the vanpool, I keep the riders informed of the monthly gas usage, any increase in monthly rider costs, and when a new rider joins our vanpool. I asked for alternate drivers to help share the daily driving responsibilities and many have stepped forward. The vanpool is a money saver plus a relaxing, congenial and stress free commute to and from work. All of this contributes to a successful vanpool. Pima Association of Governments Vanpool Incentive Program 177 N. Church Ave., Suite 405 Tucson, AZ (520) Fax (520)