How does the UCSC Vanpool program work?
The UCSC Vanpool Program assembles 12-15 members of the UCSC community (faculty, staff and students) who are all coming to UCSC from the same neighborhood and transports them together in a van. Volunteer drivers make one inbound and one outbound trip each weekday, traveling between a common pick-up location where you may leave your car and the UCSC campus. If you work off campus please contact the vanpool program coordinator.

While vanpool travel times tend to accommodate faculty and staff work schedules, some students find vanpools convenient and economical. As most vanpools have bike racks that can carry up to 2 bikes, using a bike for part of the commute gives some flexibility.

Fares covers all costs associated with the operation of the vanpool: maintenance, insurance, gas and oil and monthly washing. UCSC Vanpools are typically owned and operated by the University, which subsidizes the overall expense of coordinating and maintaining the service.

Is there a vanpool serving my neighborhood?
There are currently 22 vanpools serving areas including Palo Alto, Mountain View,  Los Gatos, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, Scotts Valley, Live Oak, Seabright Area, Eastside Santa Cruz, Mid County (Bay Avenue in Capitola), Aptos and Watsonville (see Vanpool Routes, Schedules, Locations & Fares). If your area isn’t listed, please contact the vanpool coordinator, as new vanpools may be forming.

What are the schedules for the vanpools?
Each vanpool has a unique schedule, ranging from work start times between 6:00-8:00 a.m. including a swing shift. If the vanpool is listed as an 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. vanpool, that means the van would arrive at UCSC before
8:00 a.m. and leave shortly after 5:00 p.m.

Where does the van stop on Campus?
The vanpool stops at many locations around the campus and use bus stops closest to the building where the passengers work.

Who drives the vanpool?
Responsibility for insuring the on-going operation of a vanpool belongs to the driver. The UCSC Vanpool program utilizes staff volunteers who, in exchange for a free commute, accept responsibility for driving and administering the van. All UCSC Vanpools have at least one back-up driver when the primary driver is sick or on holiday to insure that the vanpool operates throughout the calendar year. Drivers are trained and in some cases, have a Class B license. They are responsible for safely picking up and delivering passengers on time, arranging for van maintenance and cleaning, and maintaining and submitting monthly reports.

What are the Benefits of Vanpooling?
When commuting by vanpool, employees experience many benefits that range from financial savings to air quality benefits.

Vanpools are cheaper than driving just when you compare the annual vanpool fare to an "A”, "B" or “R” parking permit. Even more savings are realized when gas, maintenance, insurance and depreciation for a personal vehicle is considered. For example, according to AAA, to drive a 20–mile round trip commute would cost an average of $163 a month –compared to an average vanpool fare of $36 a month.

Vanpool riders are able to sit back, relax, catch-up on work, or sleep while commuting. Passengers often comment on the reduced stress and increased productivity that vanpooling allows. New employees benefit by having an experienced group of co-workers who can serve as valuable resources. Add the savings of carbon emissions, and you have a wonderful way to beat the commute.

The campus community benefits by reducing demand for parking spaces. With each vanpool, up to 14 parking spaces are not needed. The Santa Cruz community benefits by experiencing reduced traffic on the local roadways.

What are the Costs?
Monthly fares on a UCSC vanpool (academic year 2009-2010) range from $36.00 – 75.00 per month. This fare guarantees a seat on the van, gives access to the Emergency Ride Home program and provides approximately 4 free parking passes each month (depending on eligibility) for those days when a personal vehicle is needed. (In addition, eligible vanpool participants may purchase one packet of 50 daily parking passes.)

Career employees with no ending employment date, who pay through payroll deduction, stay enrolled in the vanpool program until cancelled by the employee or by TAPS. By using the payroll deduction payment method, Career employees don’t have to renew annually.

Students must pay for the vanpool by the quarter either by check, cash or credit card or they can choose to use student billing option.

Participants wanting access to a Metro bus pass may receive a free pass when no daily parking permits are requested or purchased. For those who want a bus pass in addition to daily parking permits, a payroll deduction of five (5) dollars per month is charged.

Vanpool drivers pay no fees or pay a reduced fee.

What are the Rules?
There are several specific requirements for vanpool participants that are defined in the Vanpool Agreement and orientation each new participant receives. Remember the same rules of conduct apply to vanpooling as they do in your workplace or classroom. The most important rules focus on promoting safety, supporting your van and driver(s), respecting your fellow passengers, and ensuring vanpooling to be a positive experience for everyone.

What if I see a vanpool driver driving unsafely or a passenger being disrespectful?
Safety is of utmost importance for the vanpool program. If you see a vanpool drive by in an unsafe manner, contact the campus police immediately. If you have a concern about the driving or behavior of a vanpool participant and are unable to address the issue successfully, a complaint resolution process is available. The vanpool coordinator will follow specific guidelines and in some cases may recommend the Campus Ombuds for when participants need additional assistance.

What if I have a parking permit now?
If you want to join the vanpool but currently have a parking permit, you must turn in your permit to the sales office. Participants cannot have a parking permit while riding the vanpool. Contact the vanpool coordinator if there are additional questions regarding the parking permit.

What if the Vanpool Driver is sick or the van doesn’t operate?
When the van doesn’t operate, participants can carpool together and receive a free parking permit for the day. Parking permits are available at the TAPS Kiosk near the main entrance.

What if I have to work on a weekend or during Campus Closure?
The vanpool program only serves weekday schedules and official work days. If you must work during the weekend or during Campus Closure, you must use your own vehicle to get to the campus. Most parking lots are free during weekends and during Campus Closure and parking permits are not necessary. Check the signs at the entrance to the lot if in doubt.

What if I am late and arrive after the designated meeting time?
In order to run an efficient vanpool program, vans must leave at the designated time. They can not wait for late arrivers. Please make sure to set your watches to the clock in the van to ensure that you are not left behind. If you do miss the van, you will need to find another way to get to work.

What if I live along the route of the van, can they stop and pick me up?
Vanpool routes have been carefully timed and developed to create the quickest commute. If vanpools stop along the way, it adds time to the commute of the whole group of passengers and the driver. Please contact the vanpool coordinator for more information regarding adding a new route.

If the vanpool is full, can my name be added to a waiting list?
There are waiting lists for most of the vans. Please contact the vanpool coordinator to add your name to the waiting list.

What if I have an Emergency?
Most vanpool participants are eligible for the Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program. This program is designed to get you home in the event that you are unable to take your vanpool (i.e. to take care of a sick child or parent, work unexpected overtime, or accidentally miss the van). The ERH program allows you to call a designated taxi company, hand the driver the ERH voucher and receive a ride. All fees are covered with the voucher including the tip.

How do I participate?
Joining a vanpool is easy. First look at the Vanpool Routes, Schedules, Locations & Fares table and decide which vanpool works best for your schedule and home location. Contact the vanpool coordinator (or 831-459-4289) for availability. Fill out the Vanpool Application and Vanpool Agreement form and send to the coordinator (these forms are on the web but can also be faxed or emailed to you). You can also receive applications at the Transportation and Parking Services Sales Office. If you would like to try out a vanpool, arrangements can be made to ride the van, without obligation, for a week.

How can I drive a vanpool?
Drivers are the primary reason for the success of the UCSC Vanpool program. Without the support of our dedicated drivers, we would be unable to keep our vans on the road. There should be three qualified drivers per van to insure one is always available during personal vacations or illness, as well as to avoid overloading a single driver. Typically driving a vanpool is either done on a full time basis as a primary driver, or part-time as a group of co-drivers that rotate driving or as a back up driver.

Drivers receive two primary benefits in exchange for driving: a free or discounted commute and limited free use of the van. Primary drivers do not pay the monthly fare for the van and co-drivers are able to split the cost of the monthly fare between them. Back-up drivers receive a 25% discount on their monthly fare. In addition, each van is allotted up to 375 ancillary (personal use) miles per quarter to be used (some restrictions apply) by either the primary driver or shared among co-drivers.

Qualifying as a driver requires a few necessary steps. For safety reasons, all drivers must be trained by UCSC staff and in a few circumstances require a valid Class B California State License. In addition they must have a clean DMV record, and participate in an on-road driving evaluation. Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) pays for the related expenses including training, the medical exam and the licensing fees.

How can I start a new vanpool?
There are 22 vanpools currently on the road but you may not find the right one for you. Transportation and Parking Services is interested in starting new vanpools but due to the cost of subsidizing the operation, each new vanpool needs to be planned and budgeted. Contact the vanpool coordinator, Joanna Palmer( or 831-459-4289) for more information and advice about first steps for forming a new vanpool.

Comments from participants:

1. It’s a great feeling to say that you have to stop working at the end of the day because your vanpool is leaving.

2. I really love the people and the program… I can't say enough good things about the crew. They make my commute enjoyable.

3. It saved me money (gasoline costs, automobile wear and tear, parking fees, etc.), but it has also allowed me to make a whole set of new friends. 

4. I can chat with my friends, listen to the radio, or, if it's been a particularly tiring day, just doze off until we reach our destination!

5. It's wonderful not to have to drive my own car on the homeward bound commute, which has been getting steadily worse over the past few years.

6. I can't say enough positive things about the vanpool program and my van in particular.

7. On our many trips back and forth to UCSC, our vanpool members get to know each other, share problems, ideas, stories, and so on.

8. Vanpooling is one of the best decisions I've made.  We have a great group, and it saves me money, and lots of stress.