Metro VanPool
Sustainable living › Share a ride › Metro VanPool
New incentives are available to support vanpools in the Portland metropolitan area. Find contact information and links for vanpool services.
Driving alone on crowded highways can be an expensive, frustrating experience that increases congestion and pollution. Commuting in a Metro VanPool van:
- saves money on car maintenance, fuel and insurance
- eliminates the stress of driving
- reduces traffic congestion and air pollution.
A vanpool is a group of five to 15 people who share their commute. The vanpool travels from home (or a prearranged meeting place) to work, school or other destinations. Vanpools can be started by groups of commuters or their employers. Learn how to start a vanpool
The Metro VanPool program coordinates vanpool services for commuters who travel into or within the Portland, Oregon metropolitan region and Southwest Washington for work or school.
Vanpool incentives help commuters "Drive less. Save more."
Vanpooling with a Metro VanPool can cost a quarter of what you would pay to drive alone! Though funding is currently limited to existing vanpools, pending allocation of funds Metro VanPool helps make vanpooling even more economical with a new incentive program that pays for 50 percent of the basic monthly van lease cost, not including fuel. Passengers split the remaining costs. Monthly costs per rider, including fuel, are $60 to $95 for a 30-mile round trip, compared to an average of $266 per month to drive alone.
To qualify for a Metro VanPool incentive, the vanpool must:
- travel to a destination in the Portland metropolitan area*
- originate at least 10 miles from the destination or travel through a congested corridor
- use one of the Metro VanPool providers
- maintain a minimum of five participants, including the driver, three or more days a week.
*For Southwest Washington commuters, contact C-TRAN commuter vanpool program at 360-906-7510 or by e-mail at C-TRAN Van.
Share a ride with Drive Less. Connect.
Drive Less Connect makes it easy to take advantage of travel options for work and recreation that can save you money and more on the road. It’s easy, secure and private. Drive Less Connect lets you match up in carpools through work and community networks, plus social networking sites like Facebook. In addition, you can find other bicyclists to ride along with or link with your local transit service. Track your daily trips and watch your savings grow. Learn more
Reduce your stress
According to surveys, most workers believe their commute is the most stressful part of their workday. It's no wonder when the average commuter spends eight hours each week behind the wheel of a car, the equivalent of working one extra day per week. In contrast, vanpool and carpool riders can relax, read the newspaper, work on their laptop, or just take a nap. There are fewer worries about traffic, vehicle reliability or getting to work on time. And vanpool or carpool riders travel with the satisfaction that they are doing their part to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
Emergency ride home
If a family emergency occurs before it is time for your vanpool to return home, then your ride is only a phone call away. Metro VanPool provides participants a free emergency ride home in a cab.
Current vanpool routes and schedules
There may already be a Metro VanPool that meets your commute needs. View vanpool schedules
Need assistance?
Regional Travel Options Program
503-813-7566
rto@oregonmetro.gov