The Rapid’s

RapidVan Program

Kevin Wisselink

June 2008

RapidVan Program Overview

RapidVan Program• The Rapid is operating 26 vanpools throughout the

region• All vanpools are seven passenger minivans• All vanpools are required to have between four and

six members.• The vehicles are owned by The Rapid, and operated

by the vanpool members.• Vanpool members pay

The Rapid a monthly fee, and The Rapid then covers all vanpool expenses.

Vanpool Operation

Fueling: Purchased through a card-access commercial fueling firm, with stations throughout the Grand Rapids area.

Maintenance: Administered by a third-party fleet maintenance firm; none of the vanpool maintenance is performed in-house.

Insurance: Purchase a policy that covers the fleet; all drivers need is their own personal car insurance policy.

Vanpool Funding

Passenger fares$500 / month for commutes less than 60 miles one way$700 / month for commutes greater than 60 miles one way

State AssistanceThe State of Michigan provides 29% operating assistance.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) GrantFunds from the Federal Government to help improve West Michigan’s aiq quality; CMAQ funds are used to purchase new vehicles.

Sale of Old VehiclesVans are sold after 3 years / 100,000 miles and proceeds used to purchase new vehicles.

Vanpool Member Requirements

Drivers must pass Criminal, Physical and Drug Screening background checks

Each vanpool must keep a daily mileage log and submit a monthly report containing National Transit Database information.

Each member is billed a month advance for their portion of the vanpool bill.

Each vanpool is public transportation; it is open to new members provided they are on the route of the existing vanpool.

Vanpool Software

Vanpools are tracked using a software called “Greenride”, produced by Environment & Ecology.

This allows the program administrator to store all vanpool information, track where current vanpool members are currently assigned, and generate monthly invoices.

Vanpool members make their monthly reports using this software as well.

Thank you for your time!

Any Questions?