Vanpools, like carpools, provide the flexibility and convenience of car travel but with the opportunity to significantly cut fuel costs and avoid wear and tear on your personal vehicle. A vanpool consists of 5 to 15 commuters who live and work in a common area, have compatible work days and hours, and ride to and from work in a commuter van that they lease as a group from a vanpool provider. RideWise can help vanpool groups get started and qualify for potential subsidies.
You can either search for existing vanpools or check with your company about forming a new vanpool. RideWise can help you and your company through the process of finding other interested commuters and selecting a vanpool provider. Contact staff@ridewise.org or call 908 704-1011 for more information.
Incentives and Benefits
Empty Seat Subsidy
Vanpools traveling to a work destination in Somerset County may qualify for an empty seat subsidy from RideWise to cover the cost if passengers leave the vanpool.
Commuter Tax Benefits
The IRS allows up to $260 per month to be deducted from pre-tax salaries to be used towards vanpooling expenses. To learn more, visit the Commuter Tax Benefits page.
Emergency Ride Home
When a family/medical emergency occurs or unexpected overtime or work requires you to stay later than expected, RideWise will reimburse the cost of an emergency ride home.
NJ Transit Vanpool Sponsorship Program
NJ Transit will provide $175 per month to newly forming and existing vanpool groups who meet eligibility requirements. RideWise can assist groups with applying.
