JMU offers vanpools by Enterprise as an alternative way for part-time and full-time faculty and staff to save time and money on their commute to JMU, all while helping to reduce traffic congestion and our environmental impact. What is a vanpool? A vanpool is a group of six or more faculty and staff that join together to share the costs associated with leasing and operating a van. The vans are leased from Enterprise on a monthly basis.

• Save on your commuting costs by spending less on gas, car maintenance, and insurance. Reduce your income taxes with our pre-tax payroll deduction program.
• Save on parking by potentially not needing a JMU parking permit. Vanpools will be given a free, preferred parking spot on campus.
• Take advantage of the Guaranteed Ride Home program (GRH) which provides 5 free trips home per calendar year by taxi or rental car in the event of a sudden family emergency, a sudden illness or injury arises in you or your immediate family, unscheduled overtime required by JMU or if your vanpool driver must leave early.
• Enjoy the comfort of a luxury vehicle equipped with air conditioning, reading lights, power receptacles and reclining seats, with optional Wifi.
• Free service/maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance
• Gain usable time during your commute – talk, work, read or sleep. Help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.

Vanpools consist of both drivers and riders. In order to be able to drive, drivers must undergo a background check and complete an online training course. A primary driver will manage the vanpool and secondary drivers will be able to drive as a backup. What are responsibilities for riders and drivers?

The Primary Driver is responsible for:

• Coordinating the picking up and dropping off passengers at designated locations and times.
• Arranging for van maintenance included as part of the lease fee.
• Keeping the van clean.
• Managing the vanpool account, including recordkeeping and making brief ridership reports to Enterprise/JMU

Riders are responsible for:

• Arriving at pre-arranged pick-up sites on time. Or be ready to be picked up at your home if the vanpool members agree to this.
• Giving a 30-day notice if leaving the vanpool
• Helping to recruit new passengers for the vanpool from your neighborhood

You can find both potential carpool and vanpool partners through JMU’s Zimride program – a convenient way to match up with other faculty and staff looking to share a ride. By submitting your interest on the Zimride site, JMU will be able to consider the start of additional vanpools.

Any permanent full-time and part-time JMU employee may join.

The cost will be dependent upon lease rates, gasoline prices, number of passengers and the round-trip mileage of the vanpool. In general, with more riders and a longer commute, the more savings you will see compared to driving your car.