Vanpool Tips and Etiquette

Top ten vanpooling tips

1. Determine your route and schedule. Establish the morning pickup point(s) and designate the place(s) to meet for the trip home.
2. Draw up a schedule for driving responsibilities. If all members of your vanpool alternate driving, decide among yourselves if you want to alternate on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
3. Establish a method for reimbursing driving expenses. If the members of your vanpool do not share the driving equally, come to an agreement of how the costs will be shared and when payments will be made.
4. Be punctual. Decide how long the driver and/or fellow vanpoolers are expected to wait. Exchange cell phone numbers so that you may notify each other if you are running late.
5. Establish policies. Smoking or non-smoking; music and volume; food and/or drinks. Your vanpool will have a better chance of success if possible irritants are discussed initially—and openly.
6. Make vanpooling serve one purpose. If it is for commuting to and from work, do not let it become a shopping or errand service.
7. Establish a chain of communication. If a driver is ill, or will not be going to work one day, an alternate driver should be notified to ensure that other members of the vanpool will have a ride. If a rider is ill or will not be working, the rider should contact the driver as soon as possible.
8. Drive carefully and keep the van in good repair. This includes keeping the van clean (free of trash and debris) and safe. Make sure to schedule regular maintenance on your vehicle.
9. Check with your employer to see if they offer an emergency ride home.
10. Keep contact numbers of all parties and numbers of persons to contact in case of an emergency.