A vanpool is a prearranged group of five to fifteen people who share their commute to and from work or school. The group enjoys low fares and a comfortable commute in a min van or 15-passenger vanpool vehicle. Each vanpool vehicle is equipped with individual reclining seats, lighting and heating/cooling units.

You many be asking, "Is vanpooling for me?"
  • Do you travel over 15 miles to work each day?
  • Are you tired of fighting highway traffic?
  • Is your commute taking longer and longer?
  • Do you know a few other people who live and work near you and complain about commuting?
  • Do you like to save money?
  • Does your employer have a Commute Trip Reduction program?
 If you answer “yes" to any of these questions, then vanpooling may be the commute option for you. 
Just fill out our Vanpool Rideshare Application
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HOW IT WORKS
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ROUTES
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Park-and-Ride List

Helpful car tips

8 Things You Can Do to Increase Fuel Efficiency & Save Money!
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, poor driving habits alone- aggressive speeding, braking and rapid acceleration- can lower your gas mileage by roughly 15% - 30% at highway speeds and 10% - 40% in stop-and-go traffic.
 Here are some things you can do to save money at the pump, both during times of peak gas prices and every day.


Don’t drive aggressively, and follow at the speed limit
  • Pick a driving lane and stick to it, reduce your speed instead of braking hard, try using cruise control when able.
Use the correct oil and change it at the right time
  • It’s important you follow manufacturer recommendations on when to change your oil and not just the general suggestion of months/miles later. The maintenance schedule on your specific vehicle can be found in the owner’s manual, along with what kind of oil to use.
Change your air filter
  • Along with oil, changing your air filter can also keep things running smoothly. Clogging the air filter will reduce efficiency on the air-fuel mixture your car needs to accelerate. Newer cars are able to handle a dirtier filter than  older models but if you drive in a particularly dusty or smokey environment often, it couldn’t hurt to swap it out!
Make sure your tires are properly inflated 
  • Properly inflated tires are critical to safety when driving but also can improve your fuel efficiency and prolong the life of your tires. Tire sensors are great at letting you know your tire pressure is low but checking them yourself monthly can ensure they don’t deflate that low to start with.
Fix your car when your check engine light is on
  • FuelEconomy.gov reports that a car that fails an emissions test or is “out of tune” can cause a 4% drop in fuel efficiency. Getting your car checked out asap could save you some gas mileage in the long run. This can also save you money if you get to the problem before it escalates.
Don’t warm up your car
  • Most modern vehicles are ready to drive within a few minutes of starting. Warming it up in the winter might help the inside of your car but isn’t entirely necessary. Idling can lessen your fuel economy and once you start driving-your engine (and cab) will warm up quickly.
Stop using premium fuel
  • Some vehicles are only recommended to use premium fuels but don’t wholly require them. You might get more power out of a mid-grade or premium fuel but if gas mileage and price is your concern-stick to a lower grade/regular if your car can handle it.
Find cheaper gas options 
  • If gas prices are cheaper in another area of town, it might be better to fill up there depending on the distance. Researching where to stop for fuel day-to-day or on road-trips can save you money, try out websites and apps that track gas prices in your area.

www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/saving/save-money-on-gas


A do-it-yourself Fix for Foggy Car Windows

  • Cat Litter
  • Roll of tape
  • Sock
Now, when you head off to the pet store, make sure you get silica kitty litter (the crystalline kind-not the rock kind.) The tape type doesn’t matter, it’s just to open the sock. When it comes to your sock selection, opt for the athletic kind, as you want the material to be as high-wicking as possible.

Take your sock and place the roll of tape at the top of the tube and push it in so that the center of the roll makes the cuff of the sock plenty wide. Take your kitty litter and fill the sock up to about where your ankle would begin and then tie it off tight. Now that you have your litter bomb, place it on your dashboard every time you park and leave your car. Your foggy car windows will be a thing of the past!

The reason why this works all comes down to the litter. The silica is an incredible efficient wicking agent that really sucks water vapor from the air and, in a pinch, condensation right from your windshield.
 
If executed correctly, this hack will make sure that there’s no fog in your car in the first place. But, if you accidentally bring the sock in the house, don’t sweat it, as you can run the litter bomb along the windshield to get a better result than using your hand or a towel.

Check out this article at Consumer Reports about getting the most out of your fuel!
Change up some of your driving habits, remove bike/storage racks, and even check online for the best pricing in the area. Small changes can easily increase your vehicle's mpg.
​Start Today! So, what are you waiting for? 
Over 150 people participate in vanpools serving the Western Montana area.
A safe, comfortable, stress-free, money-saving commute could be yours, too!