Commissioners approve interlocal agreement to allow CityBus vanpool service in Clinton County

Clinton County commissioners on March 18 approved an interlocal agreement that permits Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation (CityBus) and Commute with Enterprise to operate vanpools in the county under a multi-county Purdue University grant.

Melinda Grissmer, who said she manages the college and community collaboration initiative for Purdue, described the program as part of a $25,000,000 investment for a seven-county region that includes transportation and childcare components. “CityBus is one of the partners in our grant… we have up to 49 vans, Enterprise vans, that are going to be free for the use of… first-come, first-serve up to 49 vanpools that can operate in all seven counties,” Grissmer said.

Craig, a representative from Commute with Enterprise, said the vanpools are intended to help employers in rural communities recruit and retain workers. He described the model as ride-sharing with a “captain” who runs a route and may use the van for personal travel up to 20% of the time; the program requires drivers and passengers to be 18 or older.

Grissmer said CityBus had already received permission from the Lafayette metropolitan planning organization to operate outside its typical area and that four of the seven counties had already signed the reciprocal agreement. She said White and Carroll counties were working through the same approval process.

Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the interlocal agreement; a signed copy will be returned to county staff.