PROGRAM DETAILS

SLO Regional Rideshare’s Vanpool Program is a service operated and funded by State Highway Administration funds (SHA). The program is designed to reduce rush hour congestion on the region’s roadways, eliminating existing single occupant trips, and is part of SLOCOG’s Regional Transportation Plan. The program offers a monthly financial incentive to public vanpools to offset their monthly lease cost. 

Please retain a copy of these guidelines for your records and future reference. 
Which Vanpools Can Apply for the Program? 
This subsidy offers a monthly 50% subsidy of the total lease cost of up to $700, based on group status and size, to vanpools that: 
  • Have either an origin and/or destination within San Luis Obispo County; 
  • Have a 7 to 15 passenger capacity; and 
  • Meet specific criteria (see “How Will the Vanpool Enroll in the Program?” below). 
  • A DMV Medical is required for all drivers for vans with more than 11 passengers. 
  • Are open to all members of the public with limited exceptions. 
At no time will the fixed-rate subsidies exceed 50% of the group's total cost. If $500 is half of your 15-passenger group's $1,000 monthly cost, you will receive no more than $500 per-month as a subsidy from RIDESHARE.

Regular customers of public transit are not eligible to enroll in the program.
How Does the Vanpool Apply for the Program? 
A coordinator / vanpool captain simply needs to submit the following application with at least four confirmed riders. It may take up to ten business days to receive approval. Once approved, the vanpool captain should pursue a month-to-month vanpool arrangement with one of our qualified vanpool vendors: Commute with Enterprise, Green Commuter, or Ride-On Transportation. Finally, the vanpool captain should create an account at iRideshare.org and email info@rideshare.org for further instructions related to monthly reporting requirements.
How Will the Vanpool Enroll in the Program? 
Vanpools will be enrolled in and prioritized in the program based on the following criteria: 
Group 1: Five or more participants with both an origin and destination within San Luis Obispo County reaching 50 percent of the selected vehicle’s capacity 
Group 2: Five or more participants with an origin outside and destination within San Luis Obispo County, traveling a minimum of 15 one-way miles within San Luis Obispo County that have the greatest number of miles on HWY 101, SR 227, or SR 46 
Group 3: Five or more participants with an origin within and destination outside of the county 
Group 4: Five or more participants with an origin OR destination outside of San Luis Obispo County that are co-funded by another public agency representing the origin or destination region
When Will I Be Notified That the Vanpool is Enrolled in the Program? 
Within ten business days of submitting the following application, RIDESHARE will notify you via email or phone.
If the Vanpool is Enrolled in the Program, How Do I Maintain My Enrollment? 
There are certain restrictions for maintaining enrollment in the program. The vanpool must: 
  • Respond by set deadlines to RIDESHARE and selected vendor requests, such as: o Confirm trips on iRideshare.org 
    • Provide updated participant and route information 
    • Update seat availability 
    • Provide photos 
    • Distribute a survey to riders 
    • Submit new rider agreements 
    • Address outstanding group balances 
  • Maintain a minimum of 50 percent vehicle occupancy. Vehicles that fail to maintain 50 percent vehicle occupancy for three consecutive months may be changed to either a more appropriately-sized vehicle, or be terminated from the program. 
  • Follow the SLO Regional Rideshare vanpool participation and operation guidelines as described herein. 
How Can I Project a Cost for My Riders?
Our contracts with Commute with Enterprise, Green Commuter, and Ride-On Transportation require that each vendor keep transparent base pricing. Vendors may offer varying vehicle options or discounts that can change pricing dramatically; however, these price points must be maintained:

COMMUTE WITH ENTERPRISE
Monthly Mileage - 7/8-Passenger / Base Vehicle 9/10-Passenger Base Vehicle / 11+ Passenger Base Vehicle
500    -  $1,150 / $1,350 / $1,250
750    -  $1,150 / $1,350 / $1,250
1,000 -  $1,200 / $1,400 / $1,300
1,250 -  $1,200 / $1,400 / $1,300
1,500 -  $1,225 / $1,415 / $1,315
1,750 -  $1,250 / $1,430 / $1,330
2,000 -  $1,275 / $1,445 / $1,345
2,250 -  $1,300 / $1,460 / $1,360
2,500 -  $1,350 / $1,475 / $1,375
2,750 -  $1,400 / $1,490 / $1,390

GREEN COMMUTER
Monthly Mileage - 7/8-Passenger Base Vehicle / 9/10-Passenger Base Vehicle 
500    -  $2,200 / $1,600
750    -  $2,200 / $1,600 
1,000 -  $2,200 / $1,600 
1,250 -  $2,300 / $1,600 
1,500 -  $2,350 / $1,600 
1,750 -  $2,400 / $1,600 
2,000 -  $2,450 / $1,600 
2,250 -  $2,500 / $1,650 
2,500 -  $2,550 / $1,650 
2,750 -  $2,600 / $1,700 

RIDE-ON TRANSPORTATION
Monthly Mileage - 11+ Passenger-only Base Vehicle
500 - -    $890
750 - -    $890
1,000 - - $890
1,250 - - $990
1,500 - - $1,090
1,750 - - $1,190
2,000 - - $1,290
2,250 - - $1,390
2,500 - - $1,390
2,750 - - $1,590
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