JBSA RideShare Program benefits environment, pocketbook

Hundreds of commuters who work at Joint Base San Antonio installations are participating in a ride share program that is saving them money on vehicle costs and helping the environment by reducing pollution.

The JBSA RideShare Program allows four to 15 riders who live in the same area and work at the same JBSA location to participate in a vanpool by sharing the costs.

The riders meet at a central location off JBSA to be picked up and are dropped off at or near their duty or work location. Vans for the program are provided by VIA and vRide. Riders can take turns driving the van.

Michael Cox, 502nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Operations Command Center supervisor at JBSA-Randolph and JBSA-Randolph RideShare Program representative, said the program helps reduce emissions by taking vehicles off the road.

“The JBSA RideShare program is a Department of Defense initiative to reduce the carbon footprint at all DOD installations,” Cox said. “It has been determined that for every vanpool, an average of six cars have been taken off the road.”

Cox said 953 riders at all JBSA locations participate in the program, including active-duty, civilian, National Guard, Reserve personnel and other Department of Defense cardholders. The ride share program includes a pool of 180 vans that operate in various shifts in the morning and afternoon.

Ride share participants receive a debit card through the Department of Defense Mass Transportation Program to cover the costs of operating the van, including insurance, fuel, maintenance and washes.

By riding in a vanpool, Cox said commuters save money on vehicle fuel and maintenance costs. Without having to drive each day, riders can also relax, read, text, chat with other riders or sleep during the trip and be ready for work without being stressed.

Cox said he has saved money participating in the ride share by not having to own or make a payment on a second vehicle.

Riders who participate in the program can reside within one to 100 miles away from their JBSA duty or work site.

Lino Espinoza, 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs chief of graphics at JBSA-Randolph, participates in a vanpool with five other riders who work at JBSA-Randolph. Espinoza lives in Stockdale, about 40 miles from JBSA-Randolph.

Since joining the ride share program three years ago, Espinoza said he has saved between $200 to $250 a month in fuel and maintenance expenses on his vehicle, only having to change his oil once a year from four times a year.

Espinoza said by not having to drive his vehicle to work, he is saving his vehicle 300 miles a week and 1,200 miles a month.

“Instead of me driving my own car five days a week to work, we all take turns driving the van,” Espinoza said. “So I only have to drive once a week.”

In addition, Espinoza enjoys spending time in the van talking with riders and relaxing.

“I’ve made five new friends,” Espinoza said. “’We get to discuss our day with each other. We have some pretty good discussions on various topics – hobbies, home life, relationships and family. You get to gather your thoughts before work and unwind after work.”