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Pressure Grows for Congress to Extend Commuter Benefits for Public Transportation Users

January 24th, 2012 0 Comments

Transit Groups and Riders Advocate for Reversal of Expected Tax Increase of Up to $550

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Led by the CommuterBenefitsWorkForUs.Com coalition, which includes public agencies, transit operators and private businesses, pressure has grown for Congress to quickly pass legislation that would reverse cuts to the monthly pre-tax transit benefit available to commuters who use public transportation and vanpools. Without a fix, the monthly amount that can be set aside for public transportation expenses has been reduced from $230 to $125 per month. As a result, many are projected to face an increase in annual commuting costs of up to $550 this year. At the same time, the amount that can be set aside to cover parking costs as part of a commute to work increased from $230 to $240 per month due to a cost of living adjustment.

“In this economy, it makes no sense to sock hard-working mass transit commuters with a new tax increase,” said U.S. SenatorCharles Schumer, the senior senator from the State of New York. “Congress must step up to the plate and extend the full mass transit tax benefit as part of the payroll tax cut. It’s simply not fair to squeeze middle class mass transit commuters with a more expensive commute.”

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Posted in Commuting, Green Employee Benefits, MilitaryVanpool, Riders and Drivers, Sustainable Transportation, Transportation Cost Savings, Uncategorized, Vanpool | No Comments »

How to Create an Awesome Vanpool

January 10th, 2012 0 Comments

Check out this fantastic video that Andre Milteer posted about his VPSI vanpool. Thanks Andre for sharing it with us!

Posted in Commuting, Riders and Drivers, Uncategorized, Vanpool | No Comments »

The Key to Sweet!

November 14th, 2011 0 Comments

By Emmanuel Echeverria
VPSI Account Executive

El Paso, Texas — For the past few weeks we’ve been working with a client at a local Texas penitentiary. One of the vans needed minor repairs and I closely oversaw the process from the time it was reported. One of our local service shops worked on the vehicle and, when it was ready, I notified the primary and alternate drivers, delivered the van back to the group and exchanged out the loaner vehicle.

Later that day, at around 4:30 pm I received a call; the caller (Griselda) sounded worried as she explained her situation. She believed her personal keys might have been left in the loaner van. I offered to step outside and check, and sure enough, her keys were there. I called her back to tell her our hours, but the group had long passed our office. Since I live on the side of town they were heading, I offered to meet them and give Griselda her keys. I headed out to the strip mall where Griselda’s car was parked to find her and another rider standing in the cold waiting for me.

I arrived at the office two days later to find our Project Manager with two sweet boxes, yes.. delicious Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Griselda took the time get up early, buy and deliver the sweets in show of appreciation. It really made our day here at the office. We strive for customer service satisfaction, so for one of them to go out of their way was a true rewarding feeling. A true key to sweets!

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Safety First: How VPSI Protects Vanpoolers on the Road

October 21st, 2011 0 Comments

Andy Bawden

By Lee Matsos

In the vanpool industry, safety is not something to be taken for granted. All commuters need to feel that they are in good hands, and in particular that their drivers are well-versed in responding to any problems that may occur.

Andy Bawden, Vanpool Safety Instructor for VPSI, plays a vital role in the comprehensive VPSI risk management program. He visits VPSI customers and conducts vanpool safety meetings, typically attended by 25 – 200 approved volunteer drivers. Bawden says drivers like to know VPSI cares about how they operate the vehicles.

In addition to holding 25-40 vanpool safety meetings annually, Bawden uses VPSI’s quarterly newsletter, The Commuter Chronicle, as well as social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to communicate current trends and concerns about vanpool safety. Topics he has covered include winter driving, and what to do when a deer is encountered on a busy highway.
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Commuting in Perfect Harmony: Creating Perfect Vanpooling Soundtracks

August 1st, 2011 0 Comments

musicnotesChoosing music for a commute is a delicate proposition, and a lot of variables go into creating just the right musical vibe.

But with a little thought, you can create a soundtrack that not only everyone will enjoy, but which will also help you your fellow vanpoolers get to know one another better.
With that in mind, here are some tips for creating the perfect soundtrack to help ease your commute and foster harmony (and melody) in the van:

  • Know your audience –Try to match the music you select with the personalities of your fellow commuters. Even if you don’t know what types of music your ridemates like, it’s fun to make educated guesses. Use their responses to help craft your next soundtrack.
  • Take turns being the deejay – This is beneficial on a couple fronts. First, when everyone contributes music, no one feels left out of the loop. Second, hearing the music that your ride-sharing friends enjoy helps you to know them better. And vice versa.
  • Make playlists – This iPod feature has uses beyond creating mixes for your workouts. Use genre and artist searches and put your commuting songs together on a playlist. Then, once you’re in the van, let your iPod do the work for you.
  • Challenge yourself – Everybody has a deejay lurking somewhere in their psyche. Channel  your inner Casey Kasem and compile road music that will have everyone tapping their feet.
  • Add some surprises – The best mixes always include some curveballs. Making a jazz mix? Weird cover versions, obscure B-sides by familiar artists and choice live cuts often mark the difference between a compelling mix and a mundane one.

Most of all, have fun. Remember, the idea is to make your commute easier and more enjoyable. If you have fun creating your mixes, chances are your fellow commuters are going to dig them, too. – Will Stewart

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