A minimum of six (one driver and five passengers) is optimum for starting a vanpool. Vanpool agreements and arrangements vary depending on the participants. Vanpool subsidies may be available for your new vanpool. (See below for more information on various vanpool subsidy programs.)

Step 1:
Click here to register for vanpooling and find other vanpool riders and drivers.

Step 2:
Contact everyone on your matchlist. You'll probably notice at least one person on your list who lives around the corner or works down the street from you. Cover the basics. In making your vanpool arrangements, be sure to get answers to some key questions:

• How often will you vanpool?
• Where will you meet? At home or a mutually-convenient location.
• When will you meet? Work schedules are often more flexible than you think.

Also discuss "rules of the road" that address topics such as:

• Food, coffee, smoking and perfume/cologne usage.
• Radio preferences.
• How long drivers will wait for delays.

Step 3:
Contact Foothill Rideshare at (209) 296-7844 to register your vanpool and get rolling!

Vanpools are often formed when the driver leases a van and riders pay to ride. To find out more about joining a vanpool, first click here to register for vanpooling and find other vanpool riders and drivers for ridesharing, then call (209) 296-7844 for more information!

New vanpools of six or more people travelling to or from Amador, Calaveras or Tuolumne County may qualify for a one-year vanpool subsidy to help participants offset their commute costs during the vanpool's first year.

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Vanpool Subsidy applies to newly-formed vanpools traveling to the Sacramento Region - Sacramento, Yolo, Yuba, Sutter, El Dorado, and Placer Counties - for a six-month initial period. This is a $2,000 value! This incentive to vanpool is offered on a first-come, first-served basis to any qualifying vanpool that has signed agreements with SACOG and an authorized vanpool vendor.

The San Joaquin Council of Governments rideshare program, Commute Connection, currently offers new vanpools a $150 subsidy per month per van for one year. Visit Commute Connection's Benefits and Incentives page to get information on SJCOG's vanpool subsidy.

The California State Employee Vanpool Subsidy is available to all State employees who travel in a qualified vanpool.

Foothill Rideshare helps start vanpools by:

• Organizing meetings with potential riders.
• Advertising empty seats on our Web site.
• Offering free magnetic van signs to help recruit riders.
• Providing information regarding van leasing.

There are three types of vanpools:

• Leased vans owned by a leasing company. Riders/drivers jointly make one monthly payment to the leasing company to cover the cost of the van, insurance, and maintenance.
• Privately owned vans owned by an individual who rents seats to riders.
• Company sponsored vans owned by individual companies.

Register for vanpooling to see if any current vans fit your commuter info.