The UCSF Rideshare program has begun a pilot program to offer incentives to those who use UCSF vanpools instead of driving their own cars to and from campus.
The UCSF Rideshare program, coordinated by Chris Weeks in Transportation Services, has been tracking several of the newer vans in its vanpool fleet and reporting regularly on ridership to the Regional Rideshare Program of 511. That organization has confirmed ridership numbers in the UCSF vans over the last few months and, as a pilot incentive program, is giving rewards for vanpool riders, using funds from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
The Regional Rideshare Program has agreed to give UCSF vanpool riders between $75 and $125 in Amazon and Starbucks gift certificates as a reward for consistently participating in UCSF Rideshare program. UCSF employees received the first round of gift certificates last month through intercampus mail. The amount is based on the extent of confirmed ridership in UCSF vans.
"This is like a thank-you gift from the UCSF Rideshare program and the Regional Rideshare Program for choosing to share your ride to work," Weeks told the recipients of the gift certificates. "Your commute choice has helped UCSF meet its ridesharing goals and has had a positive impact on the air quality of the whole region."
This is the first round of incentives provided by the partnership with the Regional Rideshare Program, says Weeks, who has secured $16,000 from the MTC for rideshare incentives.
UCSF maintains a fleet of 50 vans, both leased and owned by the University. The vanpool program works by getting a group of staff, faculty and/or students, including a driver to form a vanpool from destinations as far away as Sacramento.
"Compared to any other form of transportation, riding in a vanpool is the cheapest way to go," says Weeks, a member of the UCSF Sustainability Committee. "All we charge is the cost to operate the program."
The UCSF Vanpool program is a self-supporting operation. Fares are based on the total amount of fixed costs, such as lease payment, insurance, maintenance coordination, plus a mileage charge to cover gas, oil and maintenance based on round-trip mileage from pickup points to campus. Riders in each van must come to a consensus - rather than majority rule - to change routes or pickup times.
'Get on Board'
For Roslyn Tuttle, who has been riding and driving a vanpool since she started working at UCSF 23 years ago, the new incentive to vanpooling to and from the University is just another perk of ridesharing.
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UCSF vanpool riders enjoy many benefits to ridesharing, the latest of which are gift certificates. |
"I am very proud that the program has been in existence as long as it has," says Tuttle, who works as a coordinator of student records for the UCSF School of Dentistry. "I spent two weeks commuting from the East Bay and it was enough to drive me crazy. I've saved so much money and so much time, and garnered so much peace of mind. I would encourage everybody to get on board."
Tuttle now drives from her condominium complex in Albany to Parnassus Heights five days a week, although she has tried to convince the eight passengers to take the wheel on occasion. They oblige when she is sick or on vacation.
"Frankly, as a driver, I get credit, so I don't have to pay out of pocket," Tuttle says. "But I still save on the bridge toll, parking and wear and tear on my own vehicle."
Looking for parking around the Parnassus campus is a challenge unto itself, especially since the Kezar public parking lot fills up early. Vanpools get a reserved space near the Parnassus campus. Tuttle also enjoys the conversation and camaraderie among the vanpool riders.
"It's a great way for individuals who can be flexible and respectful to share a ride into work," she says. "It's also a wonderful way to network."
For more information about the Rideshare program, call 415/476-1512 or
email.
Photo/Christine Jegan
Related Links:
UCSF Rideshare Program
UCSF Vanpool Program
511 Benefits of Vanpooling
