Thanks to a cooperative effort between the base and local commuter service providers, 10 Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mechanicsburg employees from the York, Pa., metro area are dumping the pump, parking their car keys, and realizing the cost savings and quality-of-life benefits of a vanpool they organized on June 2, 2009.

A vanpool is a group of five to 15 people who commute together on a regular basis in a van. Each vanpool has a primary driver/coordinator and one or more alternate drivers. The vanpool participants share cost of the van and all other operating expenses. Riders usually meet at a designated pick-up location like a shopping center parking lot or a park-and-ride location.

Thomas Petrisko, who is with the base communications office and a veteran Northern Virginia road warrior, was weary with his 80-plus mile commute from and to his home on York's south side. He was also worried about wearing out his car sooner than expected.

"I was driving 42 miles each way from where I live to the base. That adds to over 400 miles a week in mileage on the car, which adds at least 20,000 miles a year to my car," Petrisko told the Supplier. In September of 2008 Petrisko contacted Commuter Services of Pennsylvania to help him connect with van providers, like VPSI Inc.

Commuter Services of Pa. is funded by federal congestion mitigation and air quality funds (CMAQ). Through their free services, they work to reduce traffic congestion by helping commuters find alternatives, other than driving alone, and by reaching out to employers so they can help their workforce find those options.

VPSI Inc. operates commuter transportation and mobility management programs from more than 40 customer service and/or commute centers serving 50 major urban areas throughout the world.

"When a group wants to start a vanpool they contact Commuter Services and then set up an agreement with VPSI as a monthly lease. VPSI determines the cost based on the number of people in the vanpool and how far they will be traveling," explained Larry McCartney, NSA's Transportation Incentive Program (TIP) coordinator.

TIP applies to Department of Navy employees to help reduce their daily contribution to traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as expand their commuting alternatives. Once there are enough personnel for the vanpool, participants enroll in TIP to receive transit vouchers to pay for their vanpool.

The group leases the van from VSPI for $1,325 a month and is given a gas credit card for $275: each passenger pays $160 per month. Check procurement and distribution is managed by NSA Mechanicsburg. TIP currently provides up to $230 per person for mass transit and alternative transportation expenses.

The van is parked at the K-Mart parking lot in York, which is about 30 miles from the base; six passengers meet the van there the rest meet at pick-up points at the Emigsville and Yocumtown park-and-rides.

Petrisko, who is the primary driver, said that starting a vanpool requires a lot of front-end work. For example, somebody has to take charge and organize it; there are forms to be filled out; and the riders have to agree on a set schedule to encompass days off.

Roseann Dietrich, an information technology specialist with the Naval Sea Logistics Center, lives midway between the Emigsville and Yocumtown stops. Instead of her usual 40-mile round trip commute, she drives about five miles north of her house to meet the van at the Yocumtown Exit off of I-83.

"I'm the last to get on in the morning, and the first off in the evening, but instead of driving 40 miles a day, I'm driving 10 miles round trip. Riding the van has been a hassle-free, pleasant experience," Dietrich notes.

"Vanpools are a great idea with today's economy and rising gas prices," posited Linda Flinchbaugh, with the Navy Supply Systems Information Activity. "It does take someone like Tom who was willing to get this off the ground by emailing 'Yorkers', coordinating, and actually driving the van, even changing his work schedule to accommodate the majority of riders." Flinchbaugh added that van poolers need to be flexible and willing to change work schedules if needed.

Brandy Heilman, director of commuter services, visited the base on June 17 to talk with employees about their commuting options. "There were over 40 employees who showed interest in vanpooling coming from York, Gettysburg, Chambersburg, Hershey, Lancaster, Lebanon and Perry County," stated Heilman.

And what is the most important aspect of this endeavor for Petrisko thus far? "I have $35 at the end of the week in my wallet. That's a big incentive to me."