It is now easier — and less expensive — to use a vanpool to get to the Lab. A new contract has lowered the monthly van leasing cost from Zimride, and the cost drops even more with subsidies from transportation agencies. For someone commuting from the Walnut Creek area, a vanpool seat can run about $85 per month. Compare that to $192 per month if you take BART and almost $400 per month if you are a solo driver in a late-model car.
The Lab also has special parking for vanpools, and as the demand for carpool and vanpool spaces grows, the Lab will add more of these special spaces.
A vanpool has one person to act as coordinator, but any of the van members can drive. For an additional $45 per month, in-vehicle wi-fi can be added which means you can use your commute time to binge-watch your favorite shows (but not if you are the driver!).
TAKE ACTION: The next session on forming a vanpool will be held Monday, Dec. 16 at 11:00 a.m. in Building 50B, room 4205. Drop by and see who else at the Lab lives in your neighborhood and could be a good commute partner. Add to your calendar.
If you can’t make the session, email commute@lbl.gov to say you are interested in a vanpool from your neighborhood. You can also learn more at zimride.com/lbl.
You can see more cost estimates by downloading the following worksheets:
Dublin-Pleasanton
Fremont
Livermore
Vallejo
Walnut Creek
* Subsidy of $350 from the Metropolitan Transportation Commissionfor the next four years.
**Vanpools from Contra Costa County have an additional $200/month subsidy from 511 Contra Costa for the first year.
***Can add in-vehicle Wi-Fi coverage to a seven-passenger van for an additional $45 per month.
Vanpool Cost Examples