RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Sitting in traffic isn't any fun and it can be an expensive and stressful way to start and end a work day.
One solution from the city of San Antonio to make commuting to and from work a little better is starting to gain some traction here on Randolph. The VIA Metropolitan Transit vanpool service allows commuters to get together and share a ride to work without the wear on their personal cars.
Ray Lott, 902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, operator records and licensing, is one of the drivers and the vanpool coordinator for Randolph.
"There is no cost to government employees or Airmen," he said. "If you work on base, you qualify."
The service is open to contractors also, but they must pay a small fee equivalent to what they would pay in a vanpool off base.
Normally, commuters share a small fee to use the service in addition to fuel costs, which is generally much less than driving alone. There are different vans for different groups and a few routes already established, including two from Randolph.
Vans are available in seven-passenger minivans, or larger 12- and 15-passenger models. The leasing and maintenance of the vans is done through a large leasing company who handles everything, including roadside help and van replacement.
Michael Cox, 902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, vehicle operations command center supervisor is the point of contact for the Via Vanpool service for Randolph.
"We increased from zero to three vanpools," he said.
The driver parks the van off street in a pre-arranged safe place, usually a church or grocery store parking lot. In the morning, the commuters all meet there, get in the van and head to work. It's reversed at the end of the day. The driver keeps a monthly log of miles driven and other information and each rider must ride at least 80 percent of the week to stay part of the group.
"Everyone is talking about their weekend or games in the morning," Mr. Lott said. "But in the afternoon, everyone is winding down; there is no stress of driving."
Selvin Manboard, 902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron said he uses the van pool because of money. "It's more economical."
"I get home earlier," said Kenneth Hall, 902nd Logistics Readiness Squadron. "It's more economical."
The vanpools reach all parts of San Antonio from the south west side near Lackland to the north east, Mr. Cox said.
Mr. Lott said there are van routes that go from Austin to Port San Antonio.
If a vanpool member has an emergency or needs to stay late, they're not stuck without a ride home. For a $5 annual fee, the certified auto ride in an emergency program, run by Via and the Alamo Area Council of Governments, can guarantee a free taxi ride home with some restrictions. The service all applies to city bus and carpool commuters as well.
For more information, contact Mr. Cox at 652-3477 or Mr. Lott at 652-4206.