VanStart and VanSave Programs

The Virginia Vanpool Assistance Program, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, provides temporary funding for vanpools having trouble filling all of their seats. There are two different programs: the VanStart Program, which funds empty seats during the critical start up phase of new vanpools; and the VanSave Program, which is for existing vanpools that are experiencing problems in their passenger levels due to the loss of riders.

Who can apply for funding assistance?

Anyone operating a vanpool that serves residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia can apply for assistance. The vanpool must be a non-profit organization and have a seating capacity of no less than six and no more than fourteen (excluding the driver.) The vanpool operator must certify that the van has PV plates and is appropriately insured under a Commercial Auto Policy or Vanpool Policy and registered with the local jurisdiction's rideshare agency.

Are there any special requirements?

Yes. Since the VanStart Program is for new vanpools and the VanSave Program is for existing vanpools, there are some differences in the eligibility requirements:

VanStart:

The owner/operator must register the vanpool and apply for assistance within the first three months of operation with the local jurisdiction's rideshare agency.

At least 50% of the passenger capacity must be full.

VanSave:

The vanpool must have been in operation for a minimum of six months and may not have received any state assistance funds in the past 12 months.

At least 25% of the paying passenger capacity must have been empty for more than 30 days at time of application.

How much funding is available?

The amount of funding is based on the average cost per seat of your vanpool and the average cost per seat of similar vanpools traveling the same distance.

Can you help me find new riders?

Yes. As part of a region-wide network of commuter assistance agencies, your local rideshare agency can provide the latest up-to-date information on commuters interested in riding in a vanpool.

I have a van that needs help. Who can help me get started?

Call the rideshare agency representing the local jurisdiction where you live. Agencies representing jurisdictions serving the greater Northern Virginia service area are as follows:

Residents of Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock Counties:

Commuter Services
Rappahannock-Rapidan Planning District Commission
211 Waters Place
Culpeper, Virginia 22701
Phone: (540) 829-7451
Fax: (540) 829-7452
email: rrpdc@crosslink.net

Residents of Fredericksburg City and, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and Caroline Counties:

RADCO Rideshare
RADCO Planning District Commission
512 Lafayette Boulevard
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (540) 373-7665
Fax: (540) 899-4808

Residents of Prince William County:

OmniMatch Service of the
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
1549 Old bridge Road, Suite 209
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 580-6130
Fax: (703) 490-5254

Residents of Fairfax County:

Fairfax County RideSources
Department of Transportation
Suite 1034
12055 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Phone: (703) 324-1111
Fax: (703) 324-1450

Residents of Loudoun County:

Loudoun County Commuter Services
1 Harrison Street, SE
MSC 69
Leesburg, VA 20175
Phone: (703) 771-5665
Fax: (703) 737-8513

Residents of the Middle Peninsula area:

Middle Peninsula Rideshare
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
Woodleaf Commons
Rte 17-Business
Post Office Box 286
Saluda, VA 23149
Phone: (804) 758-4847
Fax: (804) 758-3221

Residents of Westmoreland, Richmond, Lancaster, and Northumberland Counties:

Northern Neck Rideshare
Northern Neck Planning District Commission
Corner of Rte 203/360-Old Bank Building
Post Office Drawer H
Callao, VA 22435
Phone: (804) 333-6683
Fax: (804) 529-5807

Residents of the City of Winchester and Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren Counties:

TRIP - The Ridesharing Program

Lord Fairfax Planning District Commission
103 East Sixth Street
Front Royal, VA 22630
Phone: (540) 635-4146
Fax: (540) 635-4147

Residents of Alexandria:

Alexandria Rideshare
City of Alexandria OTS&P
300 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 838-3800

Residents of Arlington:

Arlington County Commuter

Assistance Program c/o The Commuter Store at Crystal City Underground
1615-B Crystal Square Arcade
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (703) 413-4289
Fax: (703) 413-4291

If you need to know who to call in the rest of Virginia call the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation at (804) 786-7968.