Virginia Vanpool Assistance Program's VanStart and VanSave Programs
The Virginia Vanpool Assistance Program, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, provides temporary funding for vanpools having trouble filling all of their seats. There are two different programs: the VanStart Program, which funds empty seats during the critical start up phase of new vanpools; and the VanSave Program, which is for existing vanpools that are experiencing problems in their passenger levels due to the loss of riders.
Who can apply for funding assistance?
Anyone operating a vanpools that serves residents of the State of Virginia can apply for assistance. The vanpool must be a non-profit organization and have a seating capacity of no less than six and no more than fourteen (excluding the driver.) The vanpool operator must certify that the van has PV plates and is appropriately insured under a Commercial Auto Policy or Vanpool Policy and registered with the local jurisdiction's rideshare agency.
Are there any special requirements?
Yes. Since the VanStart Program is for new vanpools and the VanSave Program is for existing vanpools, there are some differences in the eligibility requirements:
VanStart:
- The owner/operator must register the vanpool and apply for assistance within the first three months of operation with the local jurisdiction's rideshare agency.
- At least 50% of the passenger capacity must be full.
VanSave:
- The vanpool must have been in operation for a minimum of six months and may not have received any state assistance funds in the past 12 months.
- At least 25% of the paying passenger capacity must have been empty for more than 30 days at time of application.
How much funding is available?
The amount of funding is based on the average cost per seat of your vanpool and the average cost per seat of similar vanpools traveling the same distance. Funds will be available based on the maximums list to in the chart.
Can you help me find new riders?
Yes. As part of a region-wide network of commuter assistance agencies, your local rideshare agency can provide the latest up-to-date information on commuters interested in riding in a vanpool.
I have a van that needs help. Who can help me get started?
Call the rideshare agency representing the local jurisdiction where you live. Agencies representing jurisdictions serving the greater Northern Virginia service area are as follows:
Residents of Alexandria:
Alexandria Rideshare
City of Alexandria OTS&P
300 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 838-3800
Residents of Arlington:
Arlington County Commuter Assistance Program
c/o The Commuter Store at Crystal City Shops North
1615-B Crystal Square Arcade
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (703) 413-4289
Fax: (703) 413-4291
email: comstorecc@aol.com
web: www.arlingtonva.us/commute
Residents of Culpeper, Faquier, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock Counties:
Commuter Services
Rappahannock-Rapidan Planning District Commission
211 Waters Place, Culpeper, Virginia 22701
Phone: (540) 829-7451
Fax: (540) 829-7452
email: rrpdc@crosslink.net
Residents of Fredericksburg City and, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and Caroline Counties:
RADCO Rideshare
RADCO Planning District Commission
512 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (703) 373-7665
Fax: (703) 899-4808
Residents of Prince William County:
OmniMatch Service of the
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
1549 Old Bridge Road, Suite 209, Woodbridge, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 490-4422
Fax: (703) 490-5254
Residents of Fairfax County:
Fairfax County Ridesources
Office of Transportation
Suite 1034
12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035
Phone: (703) 324-1100
Fax: (703) 324-1450
Residents of Loudoun County:
Loudoun County Rideshare
Department of Planning
750 Miller Drive, Room 1048B, Leesburg, Va 22075
Phone: (703) 777-5246
Fax: (703) 777-2552
Residents of the Middle Peninsula area:
Middle Peninsula Rideshare
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Woodleaf Commons
Rte 17-Business
Post Office Box 286, Saluda, VA 23149
Phone: (804) 758-4VIP
Fax: (804) 758-3221
Residents of Westmoreland, Richmond, Lancaster, and Northumberland Counties:
Northern Neck Rideshare Program
Northern Neck Planning District Commission
P.O. Box 1600
Warsaw VA 22572
Phone: (804) 333-6683
Fax: (804) 333-5274
info@neckride.org
www.neckride.org
Residents of Winchester and Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, Warren Counties:
TRIP - The Ridesharing Program
Lord Fairfax Planning District Commission
103 East Sixth Street
Front Royal, VA 22630
Phone: (703) 635-4146
Fax: (703) 635-4147
If you need to know who to call in the rest of Virginia call the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation at (804) 786-7968.
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