As part of its long-term aim of reducing the number of vehicles on the state’s roads, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is partnering with Enterprise Rideshare to launch a new statewide public-transit initiative, the Pennsylvania Vanpool Incentive Program (PVIP).
Part of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car group, Enterprise Rideshare includes vRide, which was acquired in 2016, and based on annual passenger miles, would currently rank as the fourth largest USA public transit agency.
The company’s Public-Private Partnership (P3) with PennDOT has now introduced the PVIP, which is designed to expand the availability of regional public transportation by subsidizing a portion of the cost of new Enterprise Rideshare-managed vanpools for local commuters who agree to share their ride to and from work in a vehicle large enough to accommodate 7-15 people.
Like many state transportation departments (DOTs), including those in Florida, Michigan, Nebraska and Vermont, PennDOT is expanding mobility options by launching an innovative statewide vanpooling program. The PVIP, available to all Pennsylvania commuters, is expected to create 100 new vanpools statewide and decrease commuting costs for riders by more than 50%. Through Enterprise Rideshare, PVIP participants will be able to choose a qualifying vanpool vehicle from a selection of makes and models, including crossovers, SUVs, minivans and large passenger vans. Enterprise will provide 24-hour roadside assistance, liability insurance and scheduled maintenance.
Genuine ridesharing programs represent one of the most strategic, cost-effective and sustainable transportation options available for both consumers and businesses. Every business day, Enterprise Rideshare takes more than 100,000 individual cars off USA roads, eliminating more than 2.4 billion commuter miles driven each year – the company’s customers are responsible for a reduction of 2,000,000,000 lb of carbon emissions annually – and eradicating the need for more than 100,000 parking spaces. According to USDOT data, commuter vanpools are also one of the safest modes of public transportation when compared to bus, rail, and demand-response services.
“Vanpooling programs like PVIP have proven to be affordable and convenient, while also reducing both traffic congestion and carbon emissions immediately,” noted Mike Mangan, vice president of Enterprise Rideshare.
“Vanpooling also can be a great alternative for commuters who lack access to traditional services like light rail, heavy rail or motor bus. Investing in public-private partnerships and genuine ridesharing programs like PVIP not only creates long-term value for employers and their employees, but also for surrounding communities and their transportation infrastructure.”
