The UO’s Department of Parking and Transportation is joining the Lane Transit District's Point2Point service to host a vanpool information session.

The luncheon is from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, in Room 403, Ford Alumni Center. The session is free but attendees are required to RSVP at 541-682-6183 or Vanpool@ltd.org.

Van pools in Lane County are organized by Valley VanPool, a nonprofit group that works with local transit agencies. Vanpool members form groups of seven to 15 people and rent vans from a third party, such as Enterprise or vRide.

The cost generally runs between $90 and $170 a month depending on the number of riders, and vanpool dues are eligible for pre-tax commuter benefits.

“Van pools are similar to a car pool, but they are aimed at longer-distance trips,” said Josh Kashinsky, alternative transportation coordinator for the UO parking department. “They are a great way for those who live farther away from the Eugene campus — such as Corvallis, Cottage Grove or Salem — to save wear and tear on their vehicles and get to campus sustainably.”

At least one van pool stops at the UO on a daily basis. Using van pools can save households the cost of a parking permit and can also eliminate the need for a second vehicle.

Van pools fit into the overall strategy of alternative transportation the same way car pooling does, by transporting people who would otherwise drive alone in a much more fuel-efficient and sustainable way.

“I think that van pools are currently underutilized, which is one reason for the info session,” Kashinsky said. “With 6 to 7 percent of faculty and staff living far enough away to benefit from van pooling, it won’t be the right choice for everyone, but we want to make sure people are aware of their options.”

—By Lea Adamovic, University Communications intern