Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Commuter Vanpool services skyrocket

Eight vans from Twin Falls planned by this spring

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By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Passengers unload in Ketchum from a Mountain Rides commuter van. The Vanpool service, which transports workers from the Magic Valley to the Wood River Valley, is catching on as Mountain Rides looks to expand the fleet to eight vans by this spring. Photo by Willy Cook

From humble origins of just over a year ago, Mountain Rides' commuter Vanpool service is looking to quadruple its fleet by this spring.

Two 15-passenger vans initially made the long commute from Twin Falls to the Wood River Valley when the program started in December of 2006. Currently there are four. By this spring there will be eight, said Sean McLaughlin, Mountain Rides marketing and outreach coordinator.

"Per person it's our most efficient form of transportation," McLaughlin said.

Mountain Rides estimates that the Vanpool service will save approximately 10,000 pounds of carbon emissions annually.

The vans make their long drive to the Wood River Valley starting at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. The trip starts in the Taco Bell parking lot at the Magic Valley Mall. Stops are made at the Park and Ride location on state Highway 75 about 10 miles north of Interstate 84 and at the LDS church in Shoshone.

The trip ends in either Hailey or Ketchum, depending upon the commuters' place of work.

Besides giving the environment a helping hand, the Vanpool service is economical for the users. Monthly costs vary depending upon pickup and destination points, but for example, a commute from Shoshone to Hailey costs $128 per month and one from Twin Falls to Ketchum costs $170.

"When it snows or the price of gas goes up, we get more calls," McLaughlin said.

The costs of the program are paid mainly by the user fees.

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"We break even basically," McLaughlin said.

Webb Landscape and Garden Centers is a major supporter and contributor to the Vanpool service. Two of the buses now making the run are dedicated primarily to Webb employees. By this spring, Webb will help fund five of the eight vans.

Ridership is on the increase, but McLaughlin said there's still room for commuters tired of driving from the Magic Valley to the Wood River Valley.

For more information or to sign up, call 788-RIDE. Information is also available at www.mountainrides.org.