TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
The Pima Association of Government began a vanpool program back in
2007 and each year since, it has grown. The program started with just 14
vanpools and this year there are 30.
The Sun Rideshare vanpools meet at several different locations around
pima county. The vans are leased to groups that range in size from 7 to
15 people, who all work for a specific employer. The vans are leased to
the groups for a monthly fee that can range from $50 to $100.
Three years ago PAG began to report miles and passengers of the van
pools to the Federal Transit Administration for fiscal year 2009-2010.
In return, the City of Tucson received $97,313 federal funds to use for
the transit system. The money would be used to fund new buses, shop
tools and other equipment for Sun Tran. This year with 30 vanpools, PAG
is hoping to get about $200,000 in federal funds for the transit system.
"We're bringing in more money to the region than were spending so it's a
real gain for us and it allows us to do more things," said Ruth Reiman
manager of PAG's Travel Demand Management Program. The future plans of
the program is to expand to other employers.
For the first time in 2013, PAG will offer up a $500 grant to an
employer for joining the Travel Reduction Program. There's an
application for the grant. The winner of the grant will be able to use
the money to get more employees in alternative ways to commute to work.
For more information on TRP, please click the link below.
http://www.pagregion.com/Programs/TransportationPlanning/SunRideshare/tabid/926/Default.aspx
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