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Archive for the ‘Vanpool’ Category

Houston Hosts Vanpool Safety Meetings

December 8th, 2011 0 Comments

As part of VPSI’s ongoing efforts to promote safe driving, Cecilia Cannon, VPSI’s Houston Project Manager, hosted several vanpool safety meetings for volunteer vanpool driversin the month of October. The meetings were at Marathon Oil, the Harris County Appraisal District, the Houston VA Medical Center and the Houston Veterans Administration Regional Office. Ms. Cannon was accompanied by VPSI Account Managers Henry Moz and Jeffrey Miller. Andy Bawden, a Vanpool Safety Instructor for VPSI, conducted the meetings.

Each of the 70-minute meetings began by asking the drivers to identify the different sizes of the vans used, the lengths of the commutes, the number of drivers in each van and where the vans are parked when not at the workplace. With this information Mr. Bawden provided instructions on how to safely handle a van in many situations. He then presented The Vanpool Difference, VPSI’s three-part 14-minute safety video. At the beginning and end of each part the drivers discussed what they had seen and offered comments relative to their own vanpooling experiences.

Houston Safety

VPSI thanks Ellen Meyer at Marathon Oil, Charlene Fields at the Harris County Appraisal District, Martha Barragan at Houston VA Medical Center and Mittie Gregory and Jo Ann White at the VA Regional Office for all their help and support in organizing these meetings recently and in the past.

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Posted in Commuting, Vanpool | No Comments »

Winter Driving Tips

November 21st, 2011 0 Comments

By Mark Kreindler
VPSI’s Risk Manager

Winter weather is (unfortunately) fast approaching and snow has already started falling in some parts of the country. It’s a good time to review some basic winter weather safe driving tips. Here are some pre- trip tips to make sure your vehicle is in top winter driving shape:

First, check the battery, coolant and wiper blades. Fill the washer fluid and always keep the gas tank at least half full. Next, check the tires for wear and proper inflation and be sure to keep a snow scraper/brush in vehicle.

Now for the driving tips:

  • Always clear snow from your vehicle, including the roof
  • Keep windshield and windows clear of ice and snow
  • Allow extra time for your trip and slow down
  • Avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes
  • Watch for icy bridge decks and slippery shady areas on roadways
  • Leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you
  • Turn on headlights during wintery weather
  • Did I mention to slow down and drive for conditions?

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Posted in Commuting, Vanpool | No Comments »

Read All About It: The Winter 2011 Commuter Chronicle Has Arrived

November 17th, 2011 0 Comments

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The Winter 2011 VPSI Commuter Chronicle newsletter is on the virtual newsstands.

This time, the newsletter spotlights some of the things you can do to make sure you’re driving as safely as possible this winter, as well as some of the people and programs that make vanpooling such a special and unique alternative to traditional commuting.

Click here to check out the Commuter Chronicle. And please let us know what you think.

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

Vanpooling Makes it Easier, Cheaper to Curb Traffic Congestion in Memphis

September 22nd, 2011 2 Comments

Memphis, Tennessee – VPSI, Inc. and Shelby County Air Quality Improvement Branch (AQIB) are pleased to launch the Memphis Vanpool Program for the Memphis Urbanized Area. Commuters have the opportunity to take advantage of financial incentives offered through the county to share a ride to work. Rising Fuel Costs means modified commuting behavior. Vanpools are reliable and cost effective.

Vanpooling involves sharing a seven-to-15-passenger van to get to and from work. The service is supplied by VPSI, which recently began operating the Memphis Vanpool Program. Vanpool drivers are volunteers from within the commuter group and generally ride for free in exchange for coordinating the pool, driving and keeping the van at his or her home, while the passengers split the cost of operating the van.

“Our customers tell us they love saving money and reducing stress by vanpooling, and they also are proud of the fact that they’re doing something positive for the environment,” said Michael deVry, VPSI’s Memphis Project Manager. “Some employers recognize the benefits of vanpooling and are offering financial incentives to those who take advantage of it.”
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Posted in Commuting, Sustainable Transportation, Transportation Cost Savings, Vanpool | 2 Comments »

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