NEWS - MDOT expands MichiVan service with new contracts

Michigan DOT sent this bulletin at 04/10/2014 12:59 PM EDT
 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

 

CONTACT: Barbara Hicks, MDOT Office of Communications, 517-335-3084

                      

 

MDOT expands MichiVan service with new contracts

 

April 10, 2014 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has expanded the MichiVan Commuter Vanpool Program (MichiVan) by awarding contracts to vRide, Inc. (vRide) and the Enterprise Leasing Company of Detroit, LLC (Enterprise).

            The MichiVan program is sponsored by MDOT and has been operated by vRide since 1980. vRide will remain a MichiVan provider along with an additional provider, Enterprise. This is the first time MDOT has contracted with two providers to offer MichiVan commuter vanpools throughout most of the state. The new contracts run from April 1, 2014, to Sept. 30, 2015. Service will be provided in all Michigan counties except vanpools with trip destinations in Allegan, Kent and Ottawa counties and expansion vans with trip destinations in Washtenaw County. Transit agencies in those counties offer vanpooling services.

            "MDOT is pleased to continue its long-standing contractual relationship with vRide, which has been instrumental in establishing and growing vanpool services in the state," said Sharon Edgar, MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation administrator. "Adding Enterprise as a second provider will give MichiVan customers more choices and allow MDOT to take advantage of innovations each company is bringing to the table. We look forward to working with both vRide and Enterprise to continue the MichiVan program."

            "MichiVan helps commuters to save time and money, while reducing congestion and improving air quality," Edgar said. "Vanpooling popularity has increased steadily in Michigan in recent years as more people choose to avoid the price at the pump, save on automobile upkeep and reap the value of a group commute. And commuting by van is good for the environment as well."

            Commuting with MichiVan offers employees a cost-effective and convenient way to get to work in a van, with approximately 131,000 commuter trips taken each month. It is estimated that about 216,000 gallons of fuel are saved monthly. The program is open to the public. MichiVan also helps employers develop vanpool and ridesharing programs for their employees.

            MichiVan offers several styles of fully insured vans, accommodating groups of five to 15 passengers. Riders pay a monthly fee plus the cost of fuel.

            For more details about vanpooling and a video about ridesharing, go to the MDOT website at www.michigan.gov/micommute.       

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