Pace offers public transportation options and best practice advice for vanpooling or carpooling in the Pace Commuter Rideshare service area. When you travel in a group, you can share commuter resources, turn the experience into something better and you may even form a few friendships along the way.
Apply Best Practices for Vanpooling or Carpooling
How to Form and Keep a Pace Commuter Rideshare Group
Whether you have an existing carpool, Pace Vanpool or want to start a new group, Pace offers a few ways to connect with other commuters:
- Create a Pace Commuter Rideshare account to search and connect with others. Be sure to provide details in the comment box found at the end of the registration form so your intentions are understood.
- Print the "Join my Group" flyer, poster, or table tent to distribute at work, school, in an apartment building or business park – or share the PDF by email, text or through social media.
- Share our brochure, video, and enlist help from your association or property manager, student service office, the Human Resource Department, employer’s Transportation or Sustainability Coordinator to:
- Distribute your completed Join My Group information to a larger audience.
- Create interest at work by utilizing marketing materials available at PaceBus.com/Employers
- Request a virtual or in-person employee presentation by emailing Vanpool@PaceBus.com
Pace can also assist by publicizing available seating in existing groups or transforming a carpool into a Pace Vanpool.
- For Pace Vanpools, email Pace staff at VIP.Rep@PaceBus.com to request that the online vanpool description be adjusted and ask staff to directly invite potential participants to join through Facebook and email announcements.
- For carpools, create a Pace Commuter Rideshare account, register your carpool, and then email Pace staff to invite other registrants to join.
To attract more riders, consider:
- Adding stops or adjusting travel times
- Assigning a backup driver to cover first/last mile or alternate days not handled by the primary driver
- Coordinating small groups to reach the meeting point by public transportation or carpool
- Aligning work shifts so riders can travel together
A Checklist for Commuter Ridesharing
To make sure things are coordinated, meet with your group virtually, at work or in a public location to discuss the logistics. Here’s a list of topics to cover:
- Evaluate the advantages of carpooling and vanpooling to determine which option is more suitable.
- How driving will be handled (i.e., one carpool driver or alternating the driving). Consider becoming a Vanpool driver.
- Select more than one driver to cover days off.
- Decide on how errands, coffee runs and arriving late will be handled.
- How many rider stops need to be made? The fewer stops, the shorter the total travel time.
- Plan out the times of rider stops and how riders get there. You may need to align to public transportation service schedules. Consider these helpful resources.
- For the pick-up and drop-off spots, choose mutually convenient meeting places such as:
- Residential home
- Central location (e.g., park-n-ride lot, bus/train stop, retail location or community building)
- Shared destinations (e.g., employer’s parking lot or a parking garage)
- Check on the driver’s license status of all drivers. If you don't have a current license, consider becoming a rider in the group.
- Use of a safe, clean, insured, fueled, and serviced vehicle. Insurance coverage should be carried by the vehicle’s owner.
- Figure out a code of conduct regarding sounds, scents, conversation topics, seating, and use of space.
- Agree on communication methods for last-minute changes and advanced notice of time off or overtime.
- Create a backup plan for emergencies or when a driver is unavailable.
- Decide on the vehicle (e.g., a rental, privately owned or Pace Vanpool). Discuss parking arrangements (e.g., park-n-ride lots, costs, and who will set things up).
To cover travel costs, carpoolers can review the AAA’s driving cost calculations and the IRS standard mileage rate when determining passenger rates. The group will need to determine how costs will be handled, format accepted and frequency of payment. If your group agrees that everyone will take turns driving, then exchanging money may not be necessary.
For Pace Vanpooling, payment is handled through Pace. There are low monthly part-time and full-time fares. Riders receive individualized invoices while primary drivers participate at no cost.
Once everything is set up, give your group time to come together and run smoothly.
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Discover Commuter Rideshare Rewards
Traveling together can reduce commuting costs, vehicle wear and tear, and environmental impacts. Savings vary based on commute distance, group size, travel frequency, vehicle type, routing, and available incentives. Use the Pace Savings Calculator to estimate your potential savings.
Employer-Sponsored Commuter Rewards
Some employers offer incentives to encourage ridesharing. These may include:
- Priority parking for carpools and vanpools
- Employee commuter incentives or rewards
- A employee tax-free commuter benefit that can be used for eligible commuting expenses, including Pace Vanpool fares and parking
Availability varies by employer. If these benefits are not offered, consider encouraging your employer to explore commuter programs that support ridesharing.
Pace Vanpool Perks
In addition to shared commuting costs, Pace Vanpool participants may qualify for program benefits and services. Visit the Vanpool Perks page to learn more.
Pace Vanpool also provides:
- A vehicle, insurance, fuel, maintenance, and roadside assistance
- Driver screening and training for volunteer drivers
- Discount fares for riders who volunteer to be backup drivers
- The Guaranteed Ride Home program, which reimburses up to $125 per year for eligible emergency trips
Track Your Savings
Once your group is commuting regularly, use the travel calendar to track actual trips, costs, miles saved, and emissions reductions.
Helpful Tips
- Employees traveling between Illinois and Wisconsin can also register with RideshareEtc.org to explore additional ridesharing opportunities.
- Many Pace Vanpools form through employee referrals. Invite coworkers to join your group and share the savings.
- Priority parking is one of the most effective and low-cost rewards employers can offer to both carpool and vanpool participants.
