Commuter Van Program Guide

Welcome to Metro Vanpool!

We are so glad you’re here. Joining the King County Metro Commuter Van Program is a great choice. This guide is here to help you understand the program—and the community—you’re now a part of, as well as your responsibilities as a driver, bookkeeper, or other group participant.

Background

For more than 45 years—starting with the 1979 oil crisis—the King County Metro Commuter Van Program has provided public rideshare services for commuters who live or work in King County.

Vanpool gives you the convenience of a shared commute to work when other options may not be available, convenient, or affordable. It also reduces traffic congestion by thousands of vehicles every day, saves gas, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions.

While the Vanpool and Vanshare services are distinct, collectively they are referred to as "Metro Vanpool." Unless noted otherwise, this guidance applies to both services.

Vanpool

Groups of five (5) or more commuters who share a similar route and work schedule pay a monthly fare to use a Metro vehicle. Participants rotate driving responsibilities, while one designated participant manages the record-keeping. The vanpool travels from home to work and back.

Vanshare

Groups of five (5) or more commuters who share a similar route and work schedule pay a monthly fare to use a Metro vehicle. Participants rotate driving responsibilities, while one designated participant manages the record-keeping. Vanshare provides "first-mile/last-mile" connections, linking home or work locations (within 10 miles) to transit services such as train, ferry or public transit buses and vanpools.

Program intent

Metro Vanpool is intended to help groups of commuters with similar routes share a ride to work and back each day in the most direct way possible.

Central pickup locations such as park-and-rides are encouraged over door-to-door pickups to save on vehicle miles and commute time. Riders may participate full time or part time, round trip or one way, so long as groups maintain minimum ridership requirements.

Benefits

Your monthly fare includes the vehicle, fuel card, maintenance, insurance, roadside assistance and a guaranteed ride home program.

Groups are eligible to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and ramps, bypass some tolls, access designated parking where applicable, and qualify for special permits on Washington State Ferries.