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Officials discuss vanpools and employer-subsidized commutes as options for shift workers
Summary
Trove and commissioners debated vanpools, employer data-sharing and subsidies as practical ways to serve second- and third-shift workers at large employers; Trove cited examples of state subsidies and gave an illustrative vanpool cost of about $1,600 per month.
Commissioners and the consultant discussed nontraditional service models to meet employer-driven demand, particularly for shift work at large facilities such as Textron and Spirit. Bill Trove described organized vanpools and private vanpool providers as "a good alternative" for 2nd and 3rd shift needs and said some states subsidize a portion of vanpool costs.
"A typical van pool today costs about $1,600 a month," Trove said, adding that with eight riders that can amount to roughly $200 per person per month — a potential cost saving versus long solo commutes. Commissioners noted that large employers can provide hiring-data and ZIP-code information to help target vanpools and that employers sometimes subsidize vanpool participation as part of compensation or benefits.
Panelists also discussed whether transit agencies should subsidize ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft) for some trips and the ADA considerations that arise when federal funds are used for third-party providers.
