COUNTY OFFERS VANPOOL SERVICE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUTE

COUNTY OFFERS VANPOOL SERVICE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUTE
MTA is implementing a new mode of transportation to connect people to work
The County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency (MTA) is introducing Hele-On Vanpool, a
new program that will subsidize 30 vans at $500 per month. The service is provided by
Commute with Enterprise.
“Our administration is focused on creating a sustainable island community, where our
keiki can thrive and succeed for generations to come,” said Mayor Mitch Roth.
“Reducing our carbon footprint, alleviating traffic congestion, and improving the
commute for our working class is all part of that vision, and we applaud the work of our
Mass Transit Agency for providing yet another tool for our residents to get to and fro.”
Participants can choose a qualifying vanpool vehicle from a selection of makes and
models, including crossovers, SUVs, minivans, and large passenger vans. In addition,
vanpools have access to Enterprise’s Guaranteed Ride Home program, ensuring they
can leave work at unscheduled times worry-free. The service also provides 24-hour
roadside assistance, liability insurance, and scheduled maintenance within the vanpool
pricing. Vanpoolers may also choose to upgrade their vehicles with such optional highend features as wheelchair lifts, bicycle racks, satellite radio, in-vehicle Wi-Fi service,
and power ports for individual seats.
“The average driver spends about $600 a month on fuel and vehicle expenses, whereas
the average vanpool rider spends about $80 to $150 a month, based on seven
passengers contributing to the cost,” said John Andoh, Mass Transit Administrator &
General Manager of Hele-On. “By joining a vanpool, you can avoid commuting’s wear
and tear on your vehicle and save money on transportation by splitting the cost with
fellow riders.”
“Enterprise is supporting Hele-On as it brings positive change to the island,” said
Commute with Enterprise’s Jason Oka. “Our mission is to provide commuters with a
more convenient way to get to and from work, ensuring that everyone has access to
transportation choices that can take them where they need to go safely and efficiently.”
The vanpool pricing does not include gasoline (pre-loaded fuel cards are provided for
each vanpool), van washing, or taxes. However, these prices will vary, and the costs will
still be shared between the vanpool riders or the company sponsoring the vanpool.
Companies and employees can also pursue pre-tax benefits through the IRS to
subsidize a portion of the costs.
Support for the vanpooling service comes from the extensive Enterprise Rent-ACar neighborhood network, which delivers an unmatched level of fleet flexibility and
local service.
Hele-On Vanpool is meant to be a service that will help determine the implementation of
future bus routes if demand is present. Potential destinations that Hele-On Vanpool
would target are companies with large commuter populations.
A Sustainable and Cost-Effective Option
Commute with Enterprise – a service of Enterprise Rent-A-Car – provides one of the
most sustainable and cost-effective local transportation options. The Enterprise team
works with organizational leaders to create commuting solutions that improve recruiting,
retention, and employee engagement, while driving productivity, lowering infrastructure
costs, and reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, vanpooling further reduces
annual transportation expenses through the use of volunteer drivers – which is much
more cost-efficient than hiring paid drivers.
To start a new vanpool or register for an existing vanpool, call 1-800-VAN-4-WORK, or
visit www.commutewithenterprise.com. For additional Hele-On information, call (808)
961-8744 or visit www.heleonbus.org.
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About Hele-On: Hele-On is a service of the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency
and provides countywide public transit services on 25 fixed and flex routes countywide
Hele-On Kako’o for ADA complementary paratransit service in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, and
Puna, a shared ride taxi program with three taxi companies in Hilo, countywide seniors
and persons with disabilities transportation service in partnership with Hawaii County
Economic Opportunities Council (HCEOC) and Brantley Center, a vanpool program in
partnership with Commute with Enterprise and 10 HIBike bike-share stations in Hilo and
Kailua-Kona in partnership with PATH. Hele-On transports approximately 400,000
passenger trips annually on a fleet of more than 30 buses, vans, and a trolley. Transit
services are contracted with Roberts Hawai’i, taxicab companies, Transdev, HCEOC,
Brantley Center, Enterprise Holdings, and PATH. For additional Hele-On information,
please call (808) 961-8744, TDD/TTY: 711 through the relay service, email:
heleonbus@hawaiicounty.gov, or visit www.heleonbus.org.
About Commute with Enterprise: A service of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Commute with
Enterprise is an alternative commuting solution founded in 1994 that has become one of
the largest and most cost-effective vanpool operations in the nation. Commute with
Enterprise’s vanpooling services, include vRide, which was acquired in 2016. Commute
with Enterprise takes several thousand cars off the road every business day, eliminating
843 million commuter miles driven each year and eradicating the need for 35,000
parking spaces. Additionally, 655 million pounds of carbon emissions are reduced by
Commute with Enterprise customers annually. Commute with Enterprise is supported by
the extensive Enterprise Rent-A-Car neighborhood network, which delivers a level of
fleet flexibility and local service unmatched in the vanpool industry. Commute with
Enterprise manages vanpool programs that address both local and national needs by
reducing carbon emissions, parking real estate and traffic congestion – including major
bottlenecks and “hotspots” in metropolitan areas. In fact, businesses that offer
Commute with Enterprise’s vanpool programs as an added employee benefit not only
gain a competitive differentiator for recruiting and retention, but also a way to improve
their corporate sustainability profile. Enterprise also offers a free ride-matching program
to help find co-workers with similar hours and routes. To start a new vanpool or register
for an existing vanpool, call 1-800-VAN-4-WORK or
visit www.commutewithenterprise.com.
Take The Trip!