Calling all vanpoolers! I want to know about you!

Let me start us off: I have been vanpooling for a year and a half. Before the vanpool, I rode the bus to work. However I would have to drive 20 minutes to get to the park and ride. From there, it was a 15 minute bus ride. It really wasn’t that bad of a commute.

When one of my co-workers switched her hours to match my schedule, we decided to try to start our own vanpool. After a few months of recruitment, we had enough riders to begin. My entire vanpool fare ($101/month) is actually free because the company I work for provides employees with an ORCA Passport card, covering 100% of my vanpool fare. It’s great how much money I save. Now I drive 3 minutes to the van pick-up. I put gas in my car once per month, compared to once a week, when I was taking the bus. I also get to drive to work with some wonderful women. So what’s your vanpool story? Tell me about it by commenting below!

-Melissa

For most businesses, reducing expenses and providing additional employee benefits do not go hand in hand. However, many Downtown Bellevue companies are learning that offering employees various commute options can actually save them money. Employee parking is often a major cost of doing business; however with the addition of commute benefits, such as transit pass programs, companies can better manage and maintain their parking programs.

To learn more about how your company can save money with commute benefits attend the upcoming Commute Advantage Workshops that will be held on Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28. Both workshops will be at 2:00p.m. in the TransManage office at 500 108th Avenue NE, Suite 210. Please RSVP to caryn@bellevuedowntown.org or 425-453-0644.

-Caryn