Vanpooling to the UW

If you commute to the UW Seattle campus and live at least 10 miles away, why not give vanpooling a try? A vanpool consists of 5 to 15 people who commute together in a van that is owned, maintained and insured by Metro Transit, Community Transit, Island Transit or Kitsap Transit.

Commuting by van lets you use HOV lanes and on-ramps while you read, nap or socialize. For even more flexibility, Metro Transit, Community Transit, Island Transit and Kitsap Transit vans can be outfitted with bicycle racks so it's easy to use your bicycle to run errands during the day.

Vanpools may park without charge in any University permit parking lot, but they cannot park in restricted spaces (handicapped spaces, load/unload, university vehicles, etc.) within those lots.

RIDERS WANTED: Check the list of UW vanpools to look for current vanpools that come to the University, the times they leave and arrive, whether or not they are looking for riders, and who to get in touch with if you want to join.

Vanpool fares

The U-PASS is worth up to $40 off the monthly vanpool fare, while the remaining amount, if any, is dependent on distance traveled, the size of the van, and the number of van passengers. A U-PASS holder with a 50-mile round-trip commute could save up to $4,000 annually (based on 32.5 cents/mile commuting costs and a 5-day work week) by commuting in an 8- passenger vanpool rather than driving alone.

When it comes to vanpooling, it pays to be in the driver's seat. Each vanpool driver receives a free U-PASS and has some personal use of the van. One backup driver or bookkeeper per van also receives a free U-PASS.

Getting started: Finding a vanpool or starting a new one.

1) Contact the free Regional Ridematch service at www.rideshareonline.com or

1.888.814.1300.
Indicate the specifics of your commute. Ridematch will send you names and contact numbers for existing vanpools and potential vanpool or carpool partners, whom you can then contact as you wish. If you would like to form a new vanpool, let Ridematch know and they will send you additional information.

2) Check the UW Commuter Services list of vanpools coming to Seattle Campus that are seeking riders. (Check the first row of the listings to see if the van has a vacancy, then contact the vanpool contact person to make arrangements.)

3) Ask around. If you are trying to form a new vanpool and need riders, check among your co-workers or neighbors. Often friends and colleagues live near you and would like to share the ride. With nearly 57,000 students, staff and faculty traveling to campus every day, even those with unusual schedules can usually find someone someone living nearby to share the ride.

UW Vanpool policy

Complete UW vanpool program rules and regulations.

Carpool and Vanpool Ferry Preferential Loading Registration

High-Occupancy-Vehicle (HOV) permits for preferential loading on the ferry can be requested online, as well as by mail. Expedite the registration process by registering for an annual carpool, vanpool, or bicycle permit online at Registration Form (pdf). Credit cards are the accepted form of payment for online applications. For a complete listing of Washington State Ferries Rideshare Program rules and regulations, please see Rideshare Program Brochure (pdf),

If you have questions about the vanpool program, please contact upass@u.washington.edu or 206.543.0450.