UMA Offers Vanpool Subsidy through Commute with Enterprise
Greenville, SC – March 14, 2023 – As businesses in the area continue to grow and commute costs continue to increase, the Upstate Mobility Alliance, an initiative of Ten at the Top, is creating improvements to the transit system to attract workers to the area while reducing expenses for commuters. In partnership with Commute with Enterprise, the Upstate Mobility Alliance is helping to continue to provide an innovative and sustainable shared mobility option: vanpooling.
The Upstate Mobility Alliance has announced it will provide a $500 per month subsidy for up to five (5) vanpools across the region, helping lower the cost for employers who enroll in Commute with Enterprise’s program.
The Commute program is a coordinated vanpool program available to people who live inside or outside of the ten-county region served by UMA and wish to access jobs in the area. The program coordinates participants who indicate their interest through various channels such as at their jobsite or via an online portal. The program then matches riders who have similar work shifts in similar areas and are interested in riding together. Each vanpool is customized to the specific needs of the group. Once four or more people are matched, a Commute with Enterprise representative will work with the group to identify needs and provide solutions. Commute with Enterprise provides the 7-15 passenger vehicle, insurance, maintenance and ongoing support.
The Upstate Mobility Alliance chose to work with Commute with Enterprise to bring their expertise, scalability and professionalism to the Upstate area to ensure program success. “We have been working with the Commute program for a couple of years now, helping spread the word and solve real transportation issues for employees in multiple counties,” said GP McLeer, UMA’s director. “We believe we can assist in reaching more employees and more communities through a more formal partnership,” he added.
“Our new partnership with Enterprise allows the Upstate Mobility Alliance to support the vanpool program and employment needs of local businesses in our community, while introducing our community to a proven, efficient form of public transportation,” McLeer said.
The subsidy from the Upstate Mobility Alliance uses private funding and will be used to target key areas of the Upstate. While the subsidy will not cover the full cost, UMA’s support will make it more affordable to employers and employees. The remaining cost is split among the employer and/or participants, with each vanpool rider paying a set fee per month. Enterprise will provide coordination services and technology, vehicles, liability insurance, scheduled vehicle maintenance, and 24-hour roadside assistance.
Participants can choose a qualifying vanpool vehicle from Enterprise’s selection of makes and models that includes crossovers, SUVs, minivans, and large passenger vans. Vanpoolers may also choose to upgrade their vehicles with optional high-end features such as satellite radio and in-vehicle Wi-Fi service.
People who commute within the Upstate and are interested in joining the program can visit this website.
For more information, contact GP McLeer with the Upstate Mobility Alliance at gpmcleer@upstatemobilityalliance.org, or CJ Asmus with Commute with Enterprise at christopher.j.asmus@ehi.com.
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