Commute to Work with New Vanpooling Option

This year, the Sustainability Office is partnering with Commute with Enterprise to offer vanpooling opportunities to employees.

A vanpool is a group of 7–15 people traveling to work together in a minivan or a 12–15 passenger van. Vanpool groups usually meet each day at a prearranged location, such as a park-and-ride lot. Commuters pay a monthly fee that covers the van, insurance, and fuel costs.

In addition, users enjoy:

• Reduced personal vehicle maintenance expenses
• Emergency ride home service
• Roadside assistance
• Eligibility for commuter rewards
• Reduced stress (a recent study indicates that vanpoolers experience a 21 percent lower rate of self-reported stress than those driving alone)
• A reduced carbon footprint

Commute with Enterprise is offering vanpools to employees across the state through a partnership with CTrides. CTrides is a free outreach program of the CT Department of Transportation that helps commuters find the best way to get to work.

The Sustainability Office will host a Lunch and Learn session at noon Feb. 5 in Usdan 110. Drop in to learn more and enter a raffle to get your first month of commuting in a qualified vanpool for free. In attendance will also be representatives from CTrides and from the Enterprise business rental team.

RSVP to speak with Commute with Enterprise staff during the following time slots: noon–12:20 p.m.; 12:20–12:40 p.m; or 12:40–1:00 p.m.

Vanpool works best for people living in areas with high concentrations of other employees. For Wesleyan, those areas are New Haven, Hamden, North Haven, West Hartford, Glastonbury, and Guilford.

Don’t live in one of these areas? A representative from CTrides will be available to discuss other options. CTrides has a free online ride-matching program that shows who’s going your way. Check out the CTrides carpool match site.

Can’t make it to the Lunch and Learn? Check out this quick video, call Enterprise Connect at 800-VAN.4.WORK (800-826-4967), or visit them online at enterpriserideshare.com.

Whichever way you decide to go, sign up for FREE commuter rewards! Earn points for every ride you share and get great discounts and coupons on things you use every day.