Long distance commuters traveling to or from the Eugene area are invited to vanpool formation workshops on Feb. 9 and 11.

“Vanpooling is a great way to get hours back in your day,” said Tracy Ellis, Rideshare Program specialist for the Lane Transit District’s Point2Point program. “Commuters find that vanpooling allows them to relax, read, work or even sleep instead of fighting traffic on the way to work.”

Vanpools are ideal for groups of 5-15 people who commute at least 30 miles or more round trip. Riders pay $90-150 a month, depending on the size and distance of the vanpool, which covers the lease of a van, insurance, maintenance and gas. More than 50 vanpools with 500 commuters currently operate in Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Marion, Polk, Yamhill and Lane counties.

The information sessions will cover available subsidizes, the benefits of commuting by vanpool and how to start a vanpool and recruit other commuters. Sessions will be held Thursday, Feb. 9, at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m.in the Shasta Room at the PeaceHealth RiverBend Annex, 123 International Way in Springfield.

Food and prizes will be offered at each event. RSVP by emailing vanpool@ltd.org or calling 541.682.6183.

Vanpools in the Willamette Valley are coordinated through Valley VanPool, a partnership between Cascades West Council of Governments, Cherriots Rideshare of Salem Keizer Transit and Lane Transit District’s Point2point program. For more information on vanpooling, visit ValleyVanPool.info.